Methane from algae grown in desert regions of California using available ground waters

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:7089303

Ward, R L; Jeffries, T W; Timourian, H

The potential for growing thermophilic filamentous blue-green algae in the California desert is discussed. Filamentous blue-green algae grow well at elevated temperatures under high solar radiation in water containing a wide range of dissolved solids. The physical characteristics of filamentous blue-greens makes them easier and less expensive to harvest than unicellular algae forms and once harvested can be readily converted to methane gas by anaerobic digestion. An artist's concept of the proposal is presented. Various factors involved in such a project are considered. They include: productivity, carbon dioxide sparging, high solar insolation, water, anaerobic digestion, suitability of desert resources, special requirements (including water, nutrients, and sunlight), shallow solar pond system, and cost estimates. (JGB)

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 7089303
• Report Number(s): UCRL-79716; CONF-770727-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
140504* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
ALGAE
ALKANES
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
ARID LANDS
BIOCONVERSION
BIOMASS
BIOSYNTHESIS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
COST
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DESERTS
DIGESTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
METHANE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
PONDS
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR PONDS
SYNTHESIS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WATER