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

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$/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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