There are more than 100,000 different species of algae.

Much like other plants they photosynthesize: they need water, sunlight and carbon dioxide to survive. The best suited types of algae for biodiesel are those that sit on top of ponds.

Algae were first explored as a fuel alternative in 1978. As gas prices were soaring, lines at the pump were long, and the government wanted to prevent this. With The Aquatic Species Program run by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory testing over 3000 varieties of algae, the program found that the plant could replace fossil fuels for jobs such as home heating and transportation purposes.

Extraction Method 1: Oil Press is a simple and popular method. Pressure is applied to the algae which separates the oil from the solid and water produce. It is able to extract up to 75 percent of the oil from the algae being pressed.

Extraction Method 2: Hexane Solvent Method extracts up to 95 percent of the oil from the algae. First, the oil press is used to squeeze out the oil. Then, leftover algae is mixed with hexane, filtered and cleaned so there's no chemical left in the oil.

Algae Fuel

Extraction Method 3: Supercritical fluids method extracts up to 100% of the oil from the algae. Carbon dioxide is the supercritical fluid when combined with the algae, it turns all of the algae into oil. Once the oil's extracted, transesterification takes place algae is refined using fatty acid chains. Then, the catalyst sodium hydroxide is mixed in with an alcohol such as methanol, creating the biodiesel combined with glycerol. Finally, the mixture is refined to remove the glycerol and the fuel is produced.