Daily News—09/24

Artists’ conceptions of algae bio-fuel architecture

The Boston Globe asked local artists and architects to re-imagine the sites of construction projects that have stalled in response to the recession, becoming eyesores that remain separate from the rest of the city's cultural fabric.

Our favorite entry is Howeler + Yoon and Squared Design's imaginative proposal for the 32-story Filene's development downtown: a network of algae eco-pods which will turn the entire site into a large bio-fuel reactor. The reactor would serve as a center for energy production, while supporting bio-fuel research by allowing scientists to test the effectiveness of different algae species and perfect methods of fuel extraction. The structure would have other benefits as well—in addition to producing energy, micro-algae reduces carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere without relying on arable land.

Here is a stunning look into the future of both fuel and architecture. Would anyone object to this? No soil, no food, no rainforest problems, I believe we will see this type of system, and don’t forget the robotic handling equipment—you might be able to automate the whole thing.

The science behind the bio-fuel comeback

(Photo Credit: Verenium)  Verenium's San Diego lab

(Photo Credit: Stephen Lacey)  Bill Sims at the Joule Biotechnologies lab

(Photo Credit: Poet)  Poet's cellulosic research facility

The Cambridge, Massachusetts headquarters for Joule Biotechnologies are very discreet. The only thing marking the office from every other pale brick building on Rogers Street is a large “83″ printed on a tinted glass door – hardly the type of labeling one might expect from a company claiming to have the answer to cheap, abundant, renewable fuels that don't require fresh water or farmland to grow.

But Joule CEO Bill Sims is not exactly the loud type, either. Walking around the company's lab, he nonchalantly points out a room where biologists are testing a secret fuel-producing organism that he believes will soon rival conventional oil in abundance and cost.

“This is where a lot of the magic happens,” he says in a matter-of-fact tone, sounding more like an ambivalent tour guide than the CEO of a company with a potentially game-changing technology.

Comprehensive article about the next wave of bio-fuels, examining some the science behind the gamble. It seems the first step is creating an analogue of crude oil which can then be “cracked” into any kind of fuel you need. Biodiesel is almost “too easy” for some research, as it seems they are shooting for a type of “green gasoline” which works in unmodified gas engines. Maybe not a “must read”, but surely a “should read”.

Corporate Press Release: B&P Process Equipment And Systems Continuous Biodiesel Process Patent Is Published

Saginaw, MI – B&P Process Equipment and Systems has recently published a patent for a continuous process that utilizes B&P's Podbielniak centrifuge to produce biodiesel for use as an alternate fuel.

This cutting edge process seeks to produce renewable biofuels through the modularity of components that improve the flexibility of the process. The process will maximize conversion rates, lower overall operating costs while maintaining the industry's smallest footprint per MMGY of biodiesel produced. High g-forces are used to push this process to its physical limits, separating liquid products with ease. The high speed of separation and reaction-conversion leaves traditional settling tank systems in the dust. With most feeds, this continuous system can produce ASTM grade biodiesel and can be tailored to meet specific production demands.

The new patent could be looked up and discussed, as there may be some information useful to our members of BDN. However, it is still encouraging to see industry rally to the biodiesel challenge, there is always a better way to produce something, and this company has a patent on there special methods.

MIT will run their shuttle buses on biodiesel from WVO

An MIT shuttle bus drives down Vassar Street. (Photo – Patrick Gillooly)

(PhysOrg.com) — If you catch a whiff of french fries this fall when an MIT shuttle rolls past, it won't be a coincidence. Part of the fuel in its tank may have come out of a kitchen deep fryer just a few weeks earlier.

The student group biodiesel@MIT, formed three years ago, has been working diligently — and often in an uphill effort — to secure the space, equipment, and safety approvals to begin turning leftover cooking oil into fuel that can be blended with regular diesel fuel to help power MIT's fleet of shuttles. That long effort finally came to fruition in August when the group succeeded in making its first batch, 30 gallons of slightly cloudy, golden-colored fuel. Earlier this month, they finished a second batch.

Setting a good example for students going out into the world, I applaud MIT’s support of biodiesel. Did you know that waste cooking oil clogs up our sewers and landfills? MIT will run these full-sized buses on it.

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