Judah Dashiell
Salvage Empire
Image Source: Here
Intent: To create an alternative fuel source for the galaxy.
Development Thread: Yacht Club
Manufacturer: Salacia Consolidated
Model: Algae Biofuel [Liquid]
Affiliation: Open Market
Modularity: None
Production: Mass Produced
Material: Algae strains suited to environment. For tubes - Solarium Glasteel, various bits of electrical components, durasteel(for holding cradle on land).
Description : Algae biofuel is meant to replace liquid fuels used in many applications, from starfighters to generators and everything in between. Starting with a strain selected to the planetary environment, the algae is grown in long solarium glasteel tubes. These tubes are either found floating in warm, temperate seas or on land positioned to acquire the most sunlight throughout the day. The algae is grown in the tubes until harvest/collection time. At this point the algae slurry is taken to an oil extraction facility. The algae is ran through a press, squeezing the plant to extract the naturally formed oils. Solvents are added to extract the naturally occuring sugar from the plant and after a short period the solvents evaporate after extracting the sugar molecules. From there the biofuel can be used like any other fuel. No special filters, engines, or mechanical components needed.
Pros :
-No special equipment needed for end user (i.e., pump and go!)
-Grown where other 'crops' can't be grown (bad soil,poor nutrients,urban landscape,ocean surface)
-Renewable, absorbs carbon dioxide as it grows.
-High energy per acre return
Cons :
-Needs warm conditions and optimal sunlight(or artifical growlights)
-Requires large spaces to grow in order to have enough biofuel to make it worthwhile.
-Requires fertilizer to grow and thrive.
Primary Source: http://starwarsrp.net/topic/65608-solarium-glasteel/
Research : http://act-eco.net/2010/node/1202/
http://www.triplepundit.com/special/energy-options-pros-and-cons/algae-based-biofuel-pros-cons/
