Our Green Streets Blog » Fuel alternatives

Make a visit to Oilgae

grmeyers — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:45:29 +0000

Mark Edwards, PhD

For those wanting more information on algae and its low-carbon potential as an alternative fuel source, take a visit to Oilgae , a blog focused on this subject.

Some might even want information on how to grow their own. Below are clips from today’s post:

“Cultivation of Algae in Photobioreactor”

“Algae can also be grown in a photobioreactor (PBR). A PBR is a bioreactor which incorporates some type of light source. Virtually any translucent container could be called a PBR, however the term is more commonly used to define a closed system, as opposed to an open tank or pond.

“It allows more species to be grown, it allows the species that are being grown to stay dominant, and it extends the growing season, only slightly if unheated, and if heated it can produce year round. Because PBR systems are closed, all essential nutrients must be introduced into the system to allow algae to grow and be cultivated.

“A PBR can be operated in “batch mode”, but it is also possible to introduce a continuous stream of sterilized water containing nutrients, air, and carbon dioxide. As the algae grows, excess culture overflows and is harvested.”

The entire article is available at at the Oilgae blog. I happened on this site on the recommendation of a friend who is attempting to link me with Mark Edwards, PhD, professor at the Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness at Arizona State University, and author of “Green Algae Strategy: End Oil Imports And Engineer Sustainable Food And Fuel.”

I am glad to have visited and think it is important for many of us to learn more about this alternative, sharing our discoveries with plenty of others.

Solid teaching information for biodiesel enthusiasts

grmeyers — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:27:43 +0000

BioLyle's two-DVD set is available for $39.95

Lyle Rudensey, in Seattle, was kind enough to send a copy of his two-DVD set, “BioLyle’s Biodiesel Workshop,” for us to review. For anybody interested in knowing about biodiesel, whether as a hobby or part of a cooperative effort, watching this video set is a great way to get started. But be prepared to spend some time with it, as the running length tallies up to 224 minutes.

I am happy to add that the viewer’s time will be well-spent. Lyle Rudensey takes viewers into the classroom for an in-depth lesson concerning everything from the chemistry to the tools required for manufacture, then into his garage for a ’seeing-is-believing’ demonstration that covers all of the steps involved, from collection and filtering, to titration, processing, storing, and cleaning.

On the Utah Biodiesel Supply website, Graydon Blair writes that Rudensey “has taught literally hundreds of people how to make their own Biodiesel through his hands-on Biodiesel workshops in the Seattle, WA area. His relaxed teaching style combined with his incredible knowledge of the Biodiesel production process makes for an incredible experience that students come away from raving about. Not only does he make the whole process incredibly easy to learn, but you’ll come away knowing so much more about why Biodiesel works, why anyone can make it, and how you can get started on a budget!“

Lyle Rudensey showing biodiesel manufacture in his garage Source: http://biolyle.com

Rudensey has been making all of his own fuel for his car and home heating stove since 2003. His experience and expertise show quite well.

I add here his passion for this work has a contagious effect. I don’t even own a diesel vehicle, but found myself ready to get one after watching his videos, just so I could fill the tank with biodiesel and drive down the road without stinking up the neighborhood.

For those interested in this set of DVDs, they can be purchased at these locations: http://biolyle.com, Utah Biodiesel Supply, and the Green Streets Outlet. The price is $39.95, plus shipping.

Other comprehensive video information about biodiesel can be found at the Utah Biodiesel Supply website.

Closeup: Utah Biodiesel Supply

grmeyers — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:29:00 +0000

Graydon Blair, Utah Biodiesel founder, visually samples biodiesel Photo: Utah Bio

Graydon Blair, the owner of this biodiesel concern, Utah Biodiesel Supply, is one of the first in line to say the fuel alternative in which he specializes is not going to answer all the world’s fuel challenges.But it will address some.

Plus, watching and hearing a vehicle smoothly roll down the highway on a tank full of used fryer oil is a sight to behold, and one that’s considerably less smelly than petroleum-based diesel. Her then, is good reason for shouting to the rest of the world know this is one alternative fuel source very much worth considering.

Here are some of the reasons Blair has posted on his comprehensive website:

First, economy:

“Biodiesel can be produced by individuals on a small scale relatively inexpensively when compared to Petrodiesel. Figures range anywhere from $0.40 a gallon to about $1.25 a gallon depending on the cost of materials required to make it. With prices that low, most people are able to save hundreds of dollars on their fuel bills. In some cases it even goes into the thousands of dollars. With savings like that, most people are able to recoup their initial investment on the equipment needed to make biodiesel within a matter of months.”

Second, the product is renewable:

“Biodiesel has been touted far and wide for it’s renewable properties. Instead of making a fuel from a finite resource such as crude oil, Biodiesel can be produced from renewable resources such as organic oils, fats, and tallows. This means that it can be made from things that can be regrown, reproduced, and reused. So, if you need more, you can just grow another crop of seeds for the oil.”

Burning biodiesel and glycerin Photo: Utah Biodiesel Supply

Even more important, there’s our environment:

“When Biodiesel is used to power diesel engines, the emissions at the tailpipe are significantly reduced. Studies by the US National Renewable Energy Lab indicate drops in several key area’s that help the environment. Carbon Dioxide, Hydrocarbons, and Particulate Matter (the black smoke from diesels) all are significantly reduced when Biodiesel is used. When used in older diesel engines such as indirect combustion diesels, the results are astounding. We personally saw a reduction in our tailpipe emissions of nearly 90%. It’s one of the many reasons we exist. We were incredibly impressed by our results. It also has a positive energy balance. Click here to read more!”

The list continues, all solid reasons, from supporting farmers to reducing our dependence on crude oil. Blair sells products around the world. His customers include middle-aged tree huggers, hobbyists, and commercial firms that have found a way to run a small fleet of company trucks on on biodiesel. Bottom line, says Blair, diesel vehicles running biodiesel may run 10 to 12 percent less efficiently than standard diesel fuel but they can reduce hydrocarbons by 60 percent, CO2 by 80 percent, and particulates by 90 percent.

“We believe that when you compare Biodiesel to all of the other alternatives out there, it just makes sense,” says Blair.

Over the next few months, we will be featuring more on biodiesel, including a review of a DVD set on the subject of biodiesel, “BioLyle’s Biodiesel Workshop.” In the meantime, visit the Utah Biodiesel website, and enjoy.