A recent research collaboration between Solix Biofuels, Colorado State University and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has yielded new feasible targets and limits for this blue-green fuel. Though lower than previous estimations, a new study determined the theoretical maximum yield for algae and confirmed its viability.

The report determined the "true upper limit... a value that cannot be surpassed without breaking fundamental physical laws" in several climate types. Values were determined off 50 percent oil content (what can be refined into usable biofuel), a number that the reports authors admit "may be an overestimate of what will be achievable for production systems."

The authors (Kristina Weyer, Daniel Bush, Al Dazins and Bryan Wilson) suggest a surprisingly conservative upper production limit of 38,000 gallons of unrefined oil per acre per year. This number is based on 10 percent uncertainty and with 50 percent cell oil content, and limits for practical cases ranged from 4,900 to 6,5000 unrefined gallons of oil per acre per year.

Last year at the 2008 Algae Biomass Summit, Dr. Kristina Weyer calculated the limit (with 20% more oil content) to be 53,000 gallons per acre per year.

Solix Biofuels was formed out of Colorado State University in Fort Collins, and remains a technology partner. Funds from Solix have been used to support university research towards commercial, high-yield algal targets.

The company raised $15.5 million in its first round of outside financing last year. Solix has been backed by a variety of groups, including Valero Energy (NYSE: VLO), one of the largest American oil refinery operators, and the group that manages ventures for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.

You can read the study, "Theoretical Maximum Algal Oil Production," here.

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Graphic courtesy of Solix.