Harvesting chemicals at sea

We focus a lot on algae on this blog which reflects the masses of innovation and experimentation with the substance.

This story on harvesting chemicals at sea caught my attention. A team of researchers at SAMS in Scotland have finished the harvesting of Europe's first trails of seaweed cultivation in the open sea using advanced textiles.

The textiles were developed for large-scale cultivation of seaweed for biomaterials and biofuels in coastal areas.

The three-year project called AT-SEA aimed to get an idea of how the textiles performed in different locations.

How advanced textiles and seaweeds can reduce our crude oil dependency

This week sees the completion of seaweed harvesting in Europe’s first trials of seaweed cultivation in the open ocean using advanced textiles. The cutting edge textiles have been developed specifically for large scale cultivation of seaweed for biomaterials and biofuels in coastal seas.
Devised as part of a 3-year European project called AT~SEA, the textiles have been subjected to simultaneous trials in inshore waters off the coasts of Norway, Scotland and Ireland. These locations were chosen to expose the textiles to different oceanographic, environmental and climatic conditions on a latitudinal gradient.

First time ever: cultivating seaweeds in Europe’s coastal seas

“The AT~SEA project aims to make mass cultivation of seaweeds in Europe’s near-shore locations technically and economically feasible by creating textile substrates that can endure the harsh conditions that they are exposed to as the seaweed grows”, says Bert Groenendaal of Sioen Industries and coordinator of the AT~SEA project. The same materials have been used in each of the trials and the same species of seaweed grown on them to get a European view of how these textiles perform in varying conditions.
- See more at: http://www.sams.ac.uk/news-room/news-items/harvesting-sustainable-chemicals-at-sea#sthash.k5T3FrQD.dpuf

How advanced textiles and seaweeds can reduce our crude oil dependency - See more at: http://www.sams.ac.uk/news-room/news-items/harvesting-sustainable-chemicals-at-sea#sthash.k5T3FrQD.dpuf

More information...

Seaweed (Photo credit: alitheg)

Amazing algae photos

Check out these stunning images of an algae farm in Western Australia. Hutt Lagoon is about 14 km long by 2k m wide and around 1 m deep. Photographer, Steve Back took the pictures from above, showcasing the amazing pinky red algal blooms. 

The micro-organisms produce beta-carotene, which has a multitude of applications including ice-cream and nutritional supplements for pregnant women.

View images...

You can see more of Back's work here.

Hutt Lagoon (Photo credit: kid_wendy)

Indian army looks to algae

The Indian army is considering bio-fuel from alage as a way to reduce its dependency on fossil fuel. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) - the research wing of the Indian armed forces, is experimenting with bio-fuel for its military vehicles.

"From our existing literature we have identified at least 40 species of algae from which bio-fuel could be extracted. Experiments are going on and we hope to come with some interesting finds very soon," said Sashi Bala Singh, director of the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS).

Research is underway to identify a fast-growing species suitable for bio-fuel.

Read more...

Biofuels work at Argonne (Photo credit: Argonne National Laboratory)

Algae: Salt vs fresh water

A new piece of research conducted at the University of San Diego, USA has concluded that algae grows just as well in salt water as it does in fresh. The news will be welcomed by algae fuel producers, who face high water costs. Read more...

Algae(?), 600x (Photo credit: smaller.pathological.ca)

Red algae closes Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach, Sydneym Australia was closed to the public on yesterday after the sea turned red with algae. The beach as been closed amid fears the algae could cause skin irritation. Watch the video... 

English: The Bondi Beach, Sydney (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Algae can break down cellulose

Researchers at Bielefeld University have found that the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, not only engages in photosynthesis, but can also obtain energy from other plants. The research focused on growing algae in a low-C02 environment and how the plants responded to such a shortage.  In these conditions the algae drew energy from neighbouring vegetable cellulose found in plant matted. Read more...

Scanning electron microscope image, showing an example of green algae (Chlorophyta). Chlamydomanas reinhardtii is a unicellular flagellate used as a model system in molecular genetics work and flagellar motility studies. Smith, E.F and P.A. Lefebvre (1996) "PF16 Encodes a Protein with Armadillo Repeats and Localizes to a Single Microtubule of the Central Apparatus in Chlamydomonas Flagella", J. Cell Biology, 132(3): 359-370 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Olmix Profile

Founded in 1995 by Hervé Balusson, Olmix Group was born at the core of Brittany, in Bréhan (Morbihan) from the will to find natural alternatives to additives used in agriculture.

Its business is specially based on the development of natural additives based on seaweeds, trace-elements and clays towards Animal and Vegetal Nutrition and Health.

With its famous Amadéite^®, 100% natural biomaterial, Olmix has become one of the worldwide main specialists of green tech. One of the first green refineries in the world, the ULVANS Project, will soon be established in Brittany (France), and will industrially process products from algae. 

For 15 years, Olmix is involved in algae valorisation, and its philosophy is based on the belief that they are the new “Green Gold”. Olmix logo is by the way built with algae, more than a symbol, for a better life!

Click on the image to visit the Olmix website

Olmix is present in 60 countries throughout the world, has 250 employees and makes a turnover of 53,4 million Euros, of which 80 % of sales exported. Listed on the Paris Stock Exchange, Olmix has 7 production sites in Europe and its natural innovations lead the group to become a main reference in sustainable development with significant growth perspectives. Olmix Group’s strategy is in phase with regulations and environmental evolutions in the world.

Aurora Algae secures AU$2 m grant for biomass platform

Aurora Algae has secured a AU$2 million grant from the Low Emissions Energy Development (LEED) fund to advance the company’s algae-based biomass production at its demonstration facility in Karratha, Western Australia. 

The grant, sponsored by the Australian State Government, has been used to develop a pilot production facility that consistently produces between 12-15 metric tons of algal biomass per month, within six 4,000 square meters (one acre) ponds. With the project now complete, biomass produced by Aurora Algae can be used to develop products across a number of markets including nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, aquaculture and renewable energy.

Read more...

English: Aerial view of Karratha, Western Australia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Student caught importing illegal algae

A science student in New Zealand has been sentenced for illegally importing and selling algae into the country.  Jasmine Maxwell, 20, was caught selling marimo moth balls, a type of fish tank algae, online for $16 each.  The algae banned in New Zealand because it is harmful to the country's native marine species.  Read more...

The marimo-forming green algae species Aegagropila linnaei (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Event: Olmix Symposium

Food product development from algae is being overlooked in France


"We want to work!" 


That was a comment from Mrs Christine le Tennier, who was a speaker at the 1st Olmix one-day international symposium on 'Algae - The Blue Revolution for a Sustainable Chemistry' in Pontivy, France, that received spontaneous applause from the 250-plus delegates.


"It's ridiculous not to have greater access to the shore line to produce more," she says.


While French coastal waters are some of the best in the world for cultivating algae and seaweeds, "we are having to import seaweed extracts at €20 per kg when we should be producing and exporting ourselves."

Mrs Christine le Tennier, general manager of PDG, which produces a variety of food products from algae at the reception promoting here's and other foods from algae at the Olmix Sympodium in Pontivy, France

She says that Asia is leading the way in the development and consumption of seaweed- and algae-based food products despite the French coast line having some of the best waters in the world for algae and seaweed production.


"We have already lost too much time to Asia - let us work together," was her message to the audience when told there were politicians and others of influence listening.


"We have been in business 26 years and we have not had little support for our product developments."


She told the audience that no one of influence has paid attention to the development of new and innovative food products, such as those being produced by her company from seaweeds which she refers to as seaveg. In fact she recalled that many smiled politely in the early years when she began developing foods from algae and seaweeds which today are widely produced and consumed in Asia.

Symposium chairman Pierre Erwes acknowledged that innovation was the way forward for the algae processing industry in France and asked Mrs le Tennier for her views.

Mrs le Tennier says that to prosper the region itself  had to link with successful and profitable companies and support the marketing of their products. In particular she saw an opportunity to bring together oyster and other shell fish farmers with horticultural farmers in order bring about the development of vegetable-like food products from the sea.

"Farmers on the land know how to grow plants in soil. Oyster farmers don't but they do know the seabed." The two working together could revolutionise the production of edible sea plants but to achieve that traditional barriers between the two sectors had to be abolished, she claims.

The symposium delegates were treated to a variety of 'seaveg' products at an evening reception to widespread approval. 

World's first alage-to-energy facility operational

Sapphire Energy, Inc. has announced that the first phase of its Green Crude Farm, the world’s first commercial demonstration algae-to-energy facility, is now operational. When completed, the facility will produce 1.5 million gallons per year of crude oil and consist of approximately 300 acres of algae cultivation ponds and processing facilities.  Read more...

Algae Pond (Photo credit: PNNL - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

Algae as jet oil?

We could soon be flying on jets powered by algae thanks to a new US plant which can convert moist algae into biofuel.

Pacific Algae Oil, which is made up of the Algae International Group and Pacific Oil Products,

uses wastewater from dairies to produce the algae.  Read more...

This is not the first time algae has been earmarked for aviation.  In 2009, a Continental Boeing 737-800 went on a 90-minute test flight using algae biofuel.  Read more...  

Continental Airlines Boeing 737-800 N71411 departing LAX. (Photo credit: Wikipedia).  Used for illustration purposes only

Video: Using algae as fuel

Algae is something of an obsession of mine so I was really pleased to discover this site which covers everything algae.  One of my favourite articles is this video on the development of using algae as fuel and to help absorb C02.  Sounds great but these things come with a hefty price tag...

Webinar: Algae Biofuel and Wastewater Treatment

Algae Biofuel and Wastewater Treatment - Interactive Web Conference

BlueTech Research is pleased to announce the details of the next interactive web-conference in the BlueTech® Webinar Series entitled: Algae Biofuel & Wastewater Treatment. The Event will be held on August 9th, 11:00 - 12:30 PM EDT; 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM BST.

The webinar will focus on the recent developments in the algal biofuel industry concerning wastewater treatment.

More information...

Growth monitor in algae for biofuel raceway (Photo credit: agrilifetoday)

OriginOil ships its first algae harvester

OriginOil has shipped the first production model of its Algae Appliance harvester to Paris-based Ennesys, in an urban algae joint venture. The programme aims to demonstrate that algae can help achieve eco-sustainability for large building complexes. OriginOil’s entry-level Algae Appliance, the Model 4, is designed to process up to four litres of dilute algae water per minute without the use of chemicals, into an algae concentrate.

Read more…

Algae, 600x (Photo credit: smaller.pathological.ca)

Promising news for algae super strain

A freak discovery of a super strain of algae could create a new biofuels industry in Australia.  Read more...

Reliefmap of Australia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Raising shrimp in the desert

You are more likely to find a cactus in the desert than a crustation but researchers at New Mexico State University are trying to change all that with their latest project.  Researchers are using cottonseed meal and algae to try and find an economically viable way of growing shrimp in the Desert Southwest.  Read more...

Shrimp Gumbo 913 (Photo credit: MCLipsco)

The community and environmental benefits of growing algae

Hello, 

This story caught my eye today.  Fishermen in Palawan, Philippines have diversified from fishing to growing algae.   

The benefit of the move is twofold.  Firstly, the coastal communities have an alternative source of income and are no longer dependent on fish.  

Secondly, the project is also helping to restore Palawan's waters and wildlife which were badly affected by cyanide fishing.

palawan (Photo credit: sehmaschine)

OriginOil broadens focus from algae

OriginOil, Inc, the developer of technology to make algae a viable alternative to petroluem, has announced that its platform technology which separates solids from liquids in a single pass, without the use of chemicals, has market implications beyond the algae industry.

"Oil and gas drilling, industrial wastewater treatment, toxic remediation and any place that organic solids are separated out of liquids may be a potential growth market for our suite of extraction technologies," says OriginOil CEO, Riggs Eckelberry.

Read more...

English: Green algae o rocks at ShihTiPing (giant stone steps) coastal area in Taiwan 中文: 石梯坪石頭上的綠藻類 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Aurora Algae invests in algae bio-diesel

Aurora Algae has tripled the amount of money it wants to spend on a commercial algae bio-diesel plant in Karratha, Western Australia.

The company announced a $100 million expansion of its demonstration facility earlier in 2012 but  thanks good performance, the money has been upped to $300 million.

Read more...

English: Aerial view of Karratha, Western Australia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)