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Biofuel Production from Algae
By
Miss Gouhar Sultana
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Algae are photosynthetic organisms
CO2 + H2O + Light Energy Biomass
Algae very diverse: microscopic to giant kelpEfficient, rapid growth, can double biomass in a dayProduce 50% of oxygen but are less than 1% of all plant biomass Few species have been studied for biofuel potential
Chlorophyceae Dinophyceae Bacillariophyceae
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Where can algae grow?
Algae can grow in aqueous suspension in many non potable and saline water sources
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Ethanol and Biodiesel Feedstocks Must Be Expanded if
They are to Contribute Substantially
Reliance on food crops undesirable – and Limiting
Cellulosic ethanol could be part of the solution
Ethanol and biodiesel needs a non-food feedstock
Algae Can Play that Role:
Can be grown on non-arable land in saline water
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Algae can be cultivated in two ways:
In an open pond system (either naturally occurring or engineered)
In an engineered closed system
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Unique Potential of Algae Biodiesel
Soybean Based Biodiesel will never contribute more than a few percent of the possible US diesel fuel market
~20 million acres of algae would supply ALL US transportation fuel• Small fraction of current land use• US currently uses ~970 million
acres for crops & grazing
CropGal/Acre/yrOf Oil
Soybean 48
Peanuts 113
Rapeseed 124
Coconut 287
Palm Oil 635
Algae 15,000
Yield per acre
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ALGAE BIOFUEL – REDUCED GLOBAL WARMING & LOWERED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Algae requires CO2 for growth therefore fuel is carbon neutral Possible integration to achieve low-cost CO2 sequestration and
nutrient remediation Uses all nutrients, minimizing eutrophication Biodegradable, so minimal issues with accidental spills /leaks Uses underutilized land, e.g. deserts Yields >10x those for land plants so much less land is needed Can grow in salt, or brackish water Can produce high yields of• Lipids for biodiesel• Starch / polysaccharides for ethanol
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Encouraging Cost Projections Analysis by General Atomics
Costs of Biodiesel from Algae
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
$/gal diesel
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Advantages of using algae for biofuel production
One of the most perfect choices for biofuel productionAlgae grows 50 to 100 times faster than conventional food cropsBiofuels produced from algae have the potential to become one of the best alternative energy solution that could one day even be capable enough to replace currently dominant fossil fuelsAlgae are unicellular organisms and do not require freshwater resources or soil for growth
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Vision for a Center of Excellence for algae bio-energy research, development and demonstration
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Earthrise Algae FarmCalipatria, Ca
Salton Sea
Feasibility of algae farming proven
Scale up for biofuel will be a challenge
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