The economics of liquid-fuels production from microalgae was evaluated. A detailed review of published economic analyses of microalgae biomass production revealed wide variations in the published costs, which ranged from several dollars per pound for existing commercial health-food production in the Far East, to less than .05/lb costs projected for microalgae biomass for fuel conversion. As little design information or specific cost data has been published, a credible cost estimate required the conceptual engineering design and cost estimating of microalgae to liquid-fuels processes. Two systems were analyzed, shallow (2 to 3'') covered ponds and deeper (1 ft) open ponds. Only the latter was selected for an in-depth analysis due to the many technical shortcomings of the former approach. Based on the cost analysis of a very simple and low cost process, the most optimistic costs extrapolated were about $60/barrel. These were based on many optimistic assumptions. Additional, more detailed, engieering and cost analyses would be useful. However, the major emphasis in future work in this area should be on demonstrating the basic premises on which this design was based: high productivity and oil content of microalgae strains that can dominate in open ponds and which can be harvested by a …

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

B-roll video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

B-roll video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

B-roll video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

B-roll footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

Semiweekly newspaper from Cleveland, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.

Semi-weekly newspaper from El Campo, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.

Funeral Program for Hortense (Tensie) Green

Daily newspaper from Perry, Oklahoma that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.

Interview with Navy veteran William W. Fomby. The interview includes Fomby's personal experiences while aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma during the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Interview with Navy veteran M. J. Cotter. The interview includes Anderson's personal experiences while aboard the battleship USS Maryland during the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Interview with Navy veteran James F. Anderson. The interview includes Anderson's personal experiences while aboard the hospital ship USS Solace during the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Interview with Elmo Champion, a United States Army veteran from Mineola, Texas. Champion describes his recollections as a member of the 9th Field Artillery, 25th Infantry Division stationed at Schofield Barracks during the Japanese attack there and on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Interview with Hugh E. Law, a United States Army veteran from Corvallis, Oregon. Law describes his experiences as a member of the Detach Finance Department stationed at Schofield Barracks during the Japanese attack there and on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Interview with Charles W. Lebkowsky, a United States Navy veteran from Otto, Texas. Lebkowsky explains his experiences and recollections aboard the destroyer the USS Tucker during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.