Biocatalysis

Algae has garnered a lot of attention as a biofuels source, but a big economic hurdle is collecting the oil-rich algae from ponds in which they are grown so that they can be processed to extract the fuel. LiveFuels has a novel approach to that problem: have fish eat the algae and recover and process the fish. The tag-line: biomass concentration as nature intended it. One algae expert called this approach “not impossible.” I also find it not unlikely that no funding will not be found from investors who are not unbelieving this not impossible approach.

Instead of attempting to convert algae directly into ethanol or biodiesel, this startup is trying to create green crude that could be fed directly through the nation’s current refinery system. Calling itself a mini-Manhattan project, LiveFuels is an alliance of labs and scientists with the common goal of generating 1000 gallons or more of oil per acre of land dedicated to growing algae. National lab Sandia oversees the alliance of various scientists and labs with expertise in process engineering, bioscience, and biotechnology. The Menlo Park, Calif-based startup uses open-pond algae bioreactors and plans to commercialize its technology by 2010. With the tag-line and trademark “Pond to Pump,” LiveFuels’ investors include the Quercus Trust (David Gelbaum’s well-known environmental funding group) and Sandia National Labs. The web site is clunky looking and is in dire need of updating. It’s hard to say if that is because all the money goes to the science (which would be a good thing), or if there isn’t much money.