This will be simulcast on the Internet at algae.tcoalternativefuels.com.

Here is the beginning of the press release with a link to the whole release:

Opelika, AL - On Monday, May 19, 2008, for the first known time in American history, vehicles will be powered by algae based fuel. David James, director of Alternative Energies and headmaster of Eastwood Christian School, along with Unified Fuels will conduct a demonstration of alternative energy. The momentous event will begin at 10:00 A.M. Central Time and is by invitation only; however, representatives of the media are encouraged to attend.

http://algae.tcoalternativefuels.com/2008/05/14/vehicles-to-be-powered-with-algae-oil-first-known-time-in-american-history

tco:

  first known time in American history, vehicles will be powered by algae based fuel.

Make sure you state 'american history' because there has been other rides on algoil around the world.

Yes, you are correct.  What is happening on Monday,is, that David James is going to show America that there is an alternative and it is viable.  There is going to be press coverage from all over the world there.  I hope it makes a difference. 

 Anyone end up listening to this? I would have liked to if I remembered, and their email notification didn't seem to work so I never did tune in...

Is there a saved brodcast of this anywhere? YouTube or anything?

natescape:

Is there a saved brodcast of this anywhere? YouTube or anything?

That's what I was hoping for as well Natescape, but I never did find any thing. I only checked Youtube as a quick curiousity check (and the school's website that hosted it) ... and it was very quick, so it MAY exist.  I didn't see anything off the bat though. I have to say i'm surprised it's hard to find, or wasn't in a link on the website. Seems like it would have been recorded and highly available given they wanted the awareness?

 To quote from their website:

"The event has been recorded, and will be rebroadcasted.

We are working hard to get the video coverage online as soon as we can."

Their website is at (the obvious):

http://algae.tcoalternativefuels.com/ 

 The first few clips from the event are just about done.  Just waiting for some details to be cleared prior to releasing the footage.  However, we just released on our site, algae.tcoalternativefuels.com, a short 4 minute video explaining the gasification process that David James is using.  David James was the host of the event and lead in the project.

 Take a look at this short explanation, now, so that when we release the other data you will have a better understanding of the subject matter.

Thanks. 

TCO, let me ask a dumb question...

Why bother with algoil when you can just gasify G2L any ol' algae?

And Im curious if you actually have a gasifier/catalyst system up and running?

froggy:

TCO, let me ask a dumb question...

Why bother with algoil when you can just gasify G2L any ol' algae?

And Im curious if you actually have a gasifier/catalyst system up and running?

Look at the diagram in their video.

They say they only extract algoil if they are trying for bd as an end product.

Otherwise, they claim they send dried algae directly to the gasifier if they want to make "green diesel" or "green gasoline". 

Voltaire:

Look at the diagram in their video.

They say they only extract algoil if they are trying for bd as an end product.

Otherwise, they claim they send dried algae directly to the gasifier if they want to make "green diesel" or "green gasoline". 

Yea I am looking at the diagram. He says we can do either. Im asking why? Why worry about hi oil algae growth or specific spp you are growing in a monoculture or what type of lipid or why worry about a whole 2nd process of transesterify if you already have the gasifier? The cost of the gasifier/catalyst system is enormous, why bother with a whole 2ndary process of algoil if you dont have to? The Nazi's were doing gasification 2 Liquids but they wernt doing algoil. Sasol has been doing FT technologies for over 60 years but strangly enough, not algoil. Why even add algoil to the formula? What market advantages does biod have over synfuels?

froggy:

Why worry about hi oil algae growth or specific spp you are growing in a monoculture or what type of lipid or why worry about a whole 2nd process of transesterify if you already have the gasifier? The cost of the gasifier/catalyst system is enormous, why bother with a whole 2ndary process of algoil if you dont have to? The Nazi's were doing gasification 2 Liquids but they wernt doing algoil. Sasol has been doing FT technologies for over 60 years but strangly enough, not algoil. Why even add algoil to the formula? What market advantages does biod have over synfuels?

1= I am suspicious in the extreme with regards to their claims regarding "green diesel" and "green gasoline".  You and I both know that it is neither as easy to duplicate mother nature as their video seems to imply nor particularly energy efficient to make diesel-like or gasoline-like fuel at high speed using high temperatures.  Then there is the issue of the "magic" catalyst(s) they keep referring to.

In stark contrast, having a more efficient process or equipment for producing bd is far more believable.

2= While they call it "green diesel", it is not clear how whatever it really is compares to bd.

3= if we make the charitable assumption that there is nothing fishy going on here and that everything is exactly as advertised, then it might make sense to have 2 different ways to make diesel so that you can use whichever way happens to be cheaper at the time of production.  Particularly if the "magic" catalyst(s) is/are either expensive or difficult to obtain.

The process explained in the video link posted earlier will be explained in more detail soon.  We are planning interview David James again, asking him for more specific details.  Currently, he is under a non-disclosure agreement with a company he is involved with that is opening a plant in the United States this fall. Tenatively, October 2008, and they already have secured an excellent source of algae. I will be updating our site with the company data as soon as I get the information.

More to come.... Stay tuned. 

Voltaire:

   In stark contrast, having a more efficient process or equipment for producing bd is far more believable.

I dont believe this statement. I think its far more likely that G2L synfuels are much closer than algoil is.

Voltaire:

Then there is the issue of the "magic" catalyst(s) they keep referring to...  

Particularly if the "magic" catalyst(s) is/are either expensive or difficult to obtain.

G2L catalyst is nothing 'majic' nor are they difficult to obtain. I work on G2L catalysis and have many 'majic catalysts'.  The difficulty is not in the science, the difficulty is in the process itself and turning a profit.

Id be curious if they actually have a G2L pilot or just had some consultant in the industry run some feedstock thru their process(which is my guess) ?

Algae is not the easest feedstock for G2L plants for various reasons. But once you have purchased all the G2L equipment and have it up and running, its seems strange to me to start talking about algoil. It tells me they are still in the 'concept stage' and dont have any real equipment... just ideas and consultants.

 Froggy and Voltaire,

Their PDF explains more - I didn't notice a mention of FT: 

http://algae.tcoalternativefuels.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/ronputt-algaeasabiodiesefeedstock.pdf 

We have been working hard at getting the video coverage of the event posted online.  We should have all 5 parts of the event online by the end of the week.  Part two, was uploaded last night and features a tractor and lawnmower running on green gasoline, green diesel, and 100% biodiesel.   Here is the link.

Part One was uploaded last night and features a the event speakers and opening ceremony.   Here is the link.

 Hugh,

I had no problem with Part 1 loading.

It covers little that hasn't been suggested at one time or another on this forum, but they do give a good introduction and then breifly report on what has worked for them.  (I think they will give more details on the other parts.)

Part one runs 49:42 but is worth the time.