Frequently Asked Questions
Industry Economics
The Science
Environmental Considerations
The End Product
Industry Economics
What are the per-acre yields for algal oil?
For production sites, we project annual yields of 5,000 to 8,000 gallons of algal oil per acre, per year at the five-year mark. Today, our test environments are currently yielding peak rates in excess of 2,000 gallons per acre, per year.
What infrastructure is required to deliver algae-based fuels?
Aside from the systems that grow the algae and extract the oil, algae-based fuels can be delivered through existing petroleum-industry infrastructure. In some instances, algal oil can be refined in the same refineries that produce gasoline.
What is the predicted market price for algal fuels?
We believe in order to be a viable alternative to petroleum-based fuels, we need to be competitive with oil prices at $75-$100 per barrel.
The Science
What type of algae is Solix growing?
Solix is currently growing a naturally occurring species of microalgae at our pilot facility in Fort Collins, Colorado and at our Coyote Gulch demonstration facility in southwestern Colorado. This strain of algae was selected by our biology team for its oil production capabilities and its ability to grow well in a four season climate like that of southwestern Colorado. However, Solix’s AGSTM technology is designed to be species agnostic, and we are currently growing numerous stains of algae for oil production at our Fort Collins facility.
What is the ideal geographic location to grow algae?
The ideal location for an algae oil production system is a region with a temperate climate, long days and ample sunshine.
What percentage of microalgae cell is oil?
We are currently growing a species of algae that can produce 40% oil by dry weight during its growth.
What is the process to get fuel from biocrude?
Algae naturally produce high-quality oil through normal photosynthesis using energy captured from sunlight. The oil can be extracted from algae using various methods, from simple mechanical crushing to the use of chemical solvents. For algal oil production, chemical solvents, such as hexane, have proven to be effective at separating the oil from the algae. When mixed with the algae in tanks, the solvent separates the oil, which can then be collected and shipped to a refinery. Using existing refinery infrastructure and processes, algal oil can be refined into green diesel or biodiesel fuel to power cars, trucks, and heating systems. Our research and development team is focused on this process and have developed a number of novel methodologies that reduce the cost and energy required by the available technologies.
How does the Solix technology limit CO2 emissions?
Solix technology is designed to reuse the carbon dioxide that is produced by power plants, concrete plants, breweries and other industrial sites, all of which produce an excess of CO2. As part of the natural photosynthetic process, algae consume CO2 for their growth. Algae also consume nitrogen gas (NOx), a pollutant generated by power plants. The exhaust gases from power plants and other industrial sites can be put to work to increase the production of algae.
Environmental Considerations
What happens to the co-products of algal oil production?
The algae production process generates co-products with multiple uses. The organic products remaining after the oil has been extracted from the algae can be used for agricultural purposes, fermented into ethanol or anaerobically digested into methane as well as other uses.
What are some of the environmental benefits of algae-based fuels?
Algae thrive on carbon dioxide and many nitrogen containing compounds, allowing algae production sites to use exhaust gases from industrial facilities to increase the production of algae, while helping to clean the air. Algae do not require soil for growth and use significantly less water than conventional, irrigated agriculture.
Will large-scale algae production sites disrupt existing land?
Algae production sites can be located on land that is unsuitable for agriculture, particularly land in hot, arid regions. There is little economic incentive to clear forests or use productive farmland for algae production sites. Additionally, production sites can create rural economic growth and development.
The End Product
Do engines need to be modified to run biodiesel?
Fuel-grade biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine with little or no modification to the engine or the fuel system, according to the National Biodiesel Board.
When will I see algae-based fuels at the pump?
At Solix, we’re working actively to bring algae-based fuels to the pump. The arrival of the end product hinges on many factors, including the market’s adoption of the technology and the ability to widely deploy our technology.