[Vision2020] Boeing Jets Fueled By Algae?

[Craine Kit]

One other advantage of algae is that it can consume toxic waste and  
convert it into something harmless. Imagine having the sewage  
treatment plant pay for itself by selling locally produced "gas".

Kit Craine

On Sep 9, 2007, at 12:58 PM, Ted Moffett wrote:

> All:
>
> Boeing is planning on powering their jets via biofuel, in part to  
> respond to the global warming problem.  We have heard a lot of hype  
> about ethanol from corn or sugarcane, and cellulosic biofuel, but  
> these options have serious disadvantages.  I have read this from  
> other sources, that algae is a superior means of producing biofuel  
> with fewer of the drawbacks of other sources:
>
> http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/ 
> 2003858756_boeingenergy30.html
>
> It would take a lot of land to produce enough crops like soybeans  
> to propel fuel-hungry jets. The increasing use of crops like corn  
> and soybeans to produce ethanol and biodiesel is already stirring a  
> controversy of its own. Some argue these biofuels have a negative  
> impact on the environment and on food prices.
> The solution could lie in algae, experts say. These slimy aquatic  
> creatures not only absorb great quantities of carbon dioxide during  
> their lifetime, but they are also the source of energy-rich oil  
> that can be turned into fuel. Lurking in the depths of ponds, they  
> take a lot less space than conventional horizontal above-ground  
> crops — and they can live in brackish water. A huge algae bio- 
> reactor — a series of chambers or ponds outfitted to boost growth —  
> could supply more fuel in less space than other plants.
>
> "Instead of needing all of Florida [for U.S. transport needs], you  
> could provide the whole world's fleet with biojet fuel if you had a  
> bioreactor the size of Maryland," Daggett said.
>
> Daggett estimates that a pilot plant for algae-based fuel could be  
> in place in a year or so. "I think within 10 years we could see  
> biofuel produced from algae," he said.
> ---------
> Vision2020 Post: Ted Moffett
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