Algae to Biodiesel

Joshua J. Heller

Department of Chemical Engineering

The University of Texas at Austin

Presentation Overview

• Background

• Algae

• Technology– Open Pond– Bioreactor– Greenhouse

• Challenges

• Conclusion

Background

• Growing U.S. and World demand for diesel– Approximately 30 billion gallons per year (U.S. only)

• Renewable fuel mandates– 36 billion gallons of biofuel per year by 2022

• Future carbon legislation– Cap and Trade/Carbon Tax

Background Cont.

• Compatible with existing technology– Engines– Infrastructure

• Versatile growing environment– Non-arable land– Will not displace food crops

• Potentially reduces greenhouse gases

Algae

• Main sources of energy– Lipids– Fatty acids

• Lipid accumulation– Environmental stress– Greater under nutrient deficient conditions

Algae Cont.

• Algae holds significant advantage over other oilseed crops– Does not require arable land– More efficient in term of oil per acre

• 15,000 acres of algae farms required to meet U.S. transportation fuel demand– Optimistic calculation– 1/7th the area of Colorado

Plant or Organism Gallons of Oil per Acre per year

Corn 18

Soybeans 48

Safflower 83

Sunflower 102

Rapeseed 127

Oil Palm 635

Algae 5,000 – 10,000

Technology – Open Pond

• National Renewable Energy Laboratory

• Relatively cheap

• Synergy with power plant waste CO2 and waste water nutrients

Technology – Bioreactor

• Increased surface area• Turbulent mixing• Power plant pollutant

scrubber• Capital costs relatively

more expensive

Technology - Greenhouse

• Small scale• Greater temperature

control• Need access to local

processing facility

Challenges

• Cost– Capital and operations

• $0.50 to $10.00 per square foot• Product separation - $0.02 to $ 20 per gallon of

product

• Productivity– Efficiency– Photosynthesis limitations

• 3 to 4 % of sunlight converted to biomass• Light saturation

Conclusion

• High potential

• Variety of developing technologies

• Several challenges

• Bridge fuel

• One piece of the “all of the above” energy solution approach

Questions?

References• Briggs, Michael. Widescale Biodiesel Production from Algae. University of New

Hampshire Physics Department. 23 Nov. 2008 <http://www.unh.edu/p2/biodiesel/article_algae.html>.

• Gualtieri, Paolo, and Laura Barsanti. Algae : Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology. Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis, 2006.

• Larkum, Anthony, Susan E Douglas, and John A Raven. Photosynthesis In Algae. Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2003.

• Nelson, Richard. "SOLAROOF : Green Buildings for Urban Agriculture and Solar Living ." Solaroof. 23 Nov. 2008 <http://www.solaroof.com/>.

• Riesing, Thomas F. "Cultivating Algae for Liquid Fuel Production." Permaculture Activist 59. 23 Nov. 2008 <http://oakhavenpc.org/ cultivating_algae.htm>.

• United Nations. Food and Agriculture Organization. "Oil production." Renewable biological systems for alternative sustainable energy production. Osaka: Food and Agriculture Organization, 1997.

• United States. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. A Look Back at the U.S. Department of Energy's Aquatic Species Program - Biodiesel from Algae. Golden: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1998.

• Whitton, Norman. Future Fuels - Algae. N.p.: n.p., n.d.