Algaculture

Algaculture: a form of aquaculture involving the farming of algae.

So far my research of algae bio-fuels has been very informative and productive. Now that I am completely convinced that algae fuels are the solution to oil crisis and the greenhouse gas emissions, it is time for me to begin investigating the algaculture process. I hope to discover the most effective of algae varieties, and their different contributions.

Starting off: Microalgae is the preferred form of algae for crop production. Microalgae come in different forms such as phytoplankton, microphytes, and planktonic algae. When growing algae it is extremely necessary to obtain a pure culture in order to cultivate it. Each variety of algae has its own traits; one outsider could ruin the whole bunch.

The pure culture of algae is then placed into a PBR, also known as a photobioreactor. Photobioreactors are commonly referred to as “closed systems”, compared to a swamp pond; virtually any closed transparent container would work. The closed systems must remain at a controlled temperature, deserts work well, for the algae to produce regularly.

Photobioreactors are often designed into round tubes or long plastic sleves, both connected to a hose that is placed at the bottom. It is these hoses that inject the necessary Carbon Dioxide for the algae to survive. To harvest the oil the algae solution must be filtered through micro screens first, the cells are then either mechanically crushed, immersed in solvents or both. There are a few different types of chemical oil extraction; Soxhlet, Enzymatic, Expression/Expel press, Osmotic shock, Super critical fluid, and Ultrasonic-assisted extraction. Explanations for the listed extraction processes are on the way.