Pseudocalc of Biocrude yield:

Biocrude = algae mass * conversion factor - conversion losses

algae mass = f(time, light exposure, nutrient conditions, species)

Independent variables I can control:

  1. time
  2. light
  3. nutrient
  4. species
  5. conversion factor by process (methanolysis, pyrolysis)

Ranking cost of of optimizing each variable:

Variable Cost of optimizing Why?
Light Low LEDs are cheap
Time N/A
Nutrient Moderate Multivariable, and species specific
Species Moderate High switching cost. A poor initial choice may mean very low oil yield
Conversion factor by process High High switching cost. A poor initial choice may mean very low oil yield. Energy use. Chemicals and PPE. Should definitely try to find a process that is simple and safe and not mess with it unless necessary.

We have already accumulated some complex multivariable equations, so I’ll go ahead and narrow it down with some assumptions.

Assuming \

  1. Spirulina
  2. 1 gallon (3.78 liters)

We can calculate accumution in a number of ways:

My volume *grams / meter day = grams / day in my volume