Eco-Aviation Channel

Sapphire Energy sees jewel in algae

By Geoffrey Thomas
Eco-Aviation Today, May 18, 2009, p.2

Sapphire Energy, which has conducted flight demonstrations with Continental and Japan Air Lines, likewise is excited about the potential of algae-derived biojet. It claims that by 2011 it will be producing 1 million gal. of diesel and jet fuel per year, double its initial estimates. By 2018 the number will be 100 million gal. annually and by 2025 it will be up to 1 billion gal. of fuel per year. In context, that is 3% of the US's 36-billion-gal. renewable fuel standard.

In a statement, Sapphire Energy VP-Downstream Technology Brian Goodall said: "Fuel from algae is not just a laboratory experiment or something to speculate on for years to come. We've worked tirelessly and the technology is ready now. We've already successfully tested our fuel with two commercial airlines and within the next three years we'll be producing enough to help meet the growing demands of industry and the military. Fuel from algae is an extremely logical approach to meet the needs for a green solution to our dependence on fossil fuels."

Sapphire' says its products and processes differ significantly from other forms of biofuel because they are made solely from photosynthetic microorganisms using sunlight and CO2 as their feedstock are not dependent on food crops or farmland, do not use potable water, do not result in biodiesel or ethanol, enhance and replace petroleum-based products and are low-carbon, renewable and scalable. Finally, Green Crude, as it terms its product, can be refined into gasoline, diesel or jet fuel.

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