subject: An Interview by Vassilios Tsitsiringos - Nanotechnology and a new Process of Algae to Fuel [print this page] I recently interviewed DrI recently interviewed Dr. S.Fox, director of a leading nanotechnology company, on the future of nanotechnology and the production of usable fuels, rendered without distillation and the massive investment that it requires. His answers to difficult questions are very enlightening and encouraging for the future of the energy business.
Dr. V.K. Tsitsiringos. Thank you Dr. Fox for this interview. As an investor and economist, any subject that is a new process or trend which will affect the nature of one of the world's major industries is always an important topic.
Dr. Fox. It is my pleasure to explain anything I can.
Dr. V.K. Tsitsiringos. Can you tell us about your news process, and how it can affect the petroleum industry in general?
Dr. Fox. Certainly. Our company (as well as many of the major oil groups) are working on an algae to fuel process. This process involves a totally clean and 100% environmentally safe procedure. We grow a certain species of algae in special tanks or in some cases, growing pools. These algae are in turn processed, with one part going to the re-generation of new algae, and other part to bioreactors. The processed matter is then passed through hydoclones, and with nanotech filters, fuel is extracted.
Dr. V. K. Tsitsiringos. How much fuel can you make, and what is it?
Dr. Fox. We are currently at about 50 metric tons a day. Our production is - 70% synthetic Oil - (further processed into 80% Diesel, 15% Petrol, 5% Heavy Fuel) and 30% of Protein Mass - suitable for further use as Fodder and Bio Additives.
Dr. V.K. Tsitsiringos. What is the quality of the fuel like?
Dr. Fox. The Quality of Petrol and Diesel is of the Highest Standards - and is considered "green" - as it does not contain Salts, Sulphur, Lead etc.
Dr. V. K. Tsitsiringos. This is indeed a true innovation, but 50 tons a day is really not even a drop in the ocean of the fuel requirements we have in today's developed and developing world.
Dr. Fox. This is true, but one can imagine the second or third generation of these processing facilities. We are looking forward to refinery-level production, that is 1000 to 5000 tons per day. This will need expanded land facilities (or we even have a floating sea plant envisioned). As nanotechnology develops, we also see a massive improvement in production at our modest one hectare plant.
Dr. V.K. Tsitsiringos. And is this fuel factory (or should we say algae farm) an expensive investment?
Dr. Fox. We have kept it modestly priced, and indeed, soon see such processing facilities dotting the coastlines around the world.
Dr. V.K. Tsitsiringos (Vassilios Tsitsiringos) is an economist, shipping expert, and financial engineer.
An Interview by Vassilios Tsitsiringos - Nanotechnology and a new Process of Algae to Fuel
