Algae into oil

A company based in Los Angeles, California, claims to have developed a single-step process to transform algae into a true competitor to petroleum.

In addition to integrating this process into its own production system, OriginOil plans to commercialise the patent-pending process for use by others in the algae industry.

Initial testing indicates that the new algae oil extraction process is simpler and more efficient than current systems, without requiring chemicals or significant capital expenditure for heavy machinery.

A time-lapse video posted here on the company's website begins with a batch of algae that has just gone through OriginOil’s process. In less than an hour, the oil, water and biomass separate by gravity alone.

Harvesting algae is a challenge. Algae grows suspended in large volumes of water. Once ready for harvest, the algae culture must be concentrated and the oil extracted from each cell. Then, the oil, water and biomass must all be separated for processing.