Emerald Oil? - Science Snippet
Prologue:
I have always had an avid interest in science, and last year I fulfilled a long-held desire - to get a subscription to New Scientist magazine.
It is always an engaging, fascinating, and educational read, and I love learning about all the cutting-edge technologies and ideas out there. I actually have a few posts planned that are based on some interesting environmental stories I have read in there recently, and this is the first. In fact, given my science background, I’ll probably aim to make my ’science snippets’ a regular feature here at SS - let me know if you’d like to get updates from me on the scientific issues regarding sustainability!
And so, on to the story…
NS discuss a new biofuel in the latest edition - an emerald green form of crude oil produced by the process of photosynthesis in genetically-engineered algae. It’s being produced by a company called Sapphire Energy in California, and they’re planning on producing about 10,000 barrels a day within five years.
On their website, Sapphire claim that “the company’s final products will have the same chemical composition as gasoline and will be completely compatible with the existing refining, distribution and fleet infrastructure.” (Sapphireenergy.com)
Now, the benefits of this over other ‘biofuels’ are obvious. First, it’s not using land that has been previously devoted to growing food, as sugar-cane for ethanol has been (and that is the main reason that ethanol fuel is becoming more and more frowned upon from a global perspective). Second, it can be grown in treated waste-water, and pretty much all it needs is the water and sun to grow. Now, I’m a scientist by training and by nature, so biotechnology as a rule is something I am in full support of - when it’s used intelligently for the greater good, not just the greater profit (e.g. I am fully against Mon’satan’ and their approach to monopolising agriculture and creating a world of non-self-pollinating seeds).
So, all that sounds great… however. Sapphire Energy say that the quality of their oil is such that it can be pumped into the current pipeline, and used to fuel any vehicle that runs on normal petrol… does this mean, therefore, that this oil will result in the same carbon emissions as ‘normal’ oil? And if so, is it really a good alternative?
To add your thoughts to the issue, please leave a comment below.
To read the NewScientist article, click the link - Emerald Oil
P.S. And on a random note - if they’re making emerald oil, why are they called sapphire energy?
June 19 2008 09:37 pm | Oil and petrol and Water Saving and science snippets
June 20th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Excellent post!
I’d certainly be interested in reading these type of articles
That was the same thing that occurred to me - does it have the same carbon emissions as regular oil and will it be cheaper or more expensive at the bowser?
June 20th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
On the face of it, it seems like it would have the same carbon emissions. The interesting thing though is that during the growth / production of this Emerald Oil carbon would be absorbed by the algae. So in effect their creating a carbon cycle.
The fossil oil industry on the other hand is basically releasing huge amounts of carbon that has been sequestered for millions of years.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Jayne, thanks - I enjoyed writing it! And good point about the price - what impact will this renewable oil have on world oil prices?
Mark, fantastic science there! That didn’t occur to me, but that does add up. If only we could stop pulling up those sequestered CO2 deposits now and move over to this Emerald Oil, perhaps it would go some way to addressing carbon emissions. But alas, I don’t think that’s likely while a few hungry corporations see more money to be made.