Algae and Biodiesel
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Transcript Algae and Biodiesel
Biodiesel
From
Microalgae
Madhura Sarkar
Outline
Biodiesel
from algae
Feasibility of algae
Oil collection and refining
Algae
Overview
Algae and Biodiesel
Algae
Biodiesel is a good replacement for
standard crop Biodiesels like soy and
canola
Up to 70% of algae biomass is usable oils
Algae does not compete for land and
space with other agricultural crops
Algae can survive in water of high salt
content and use water that was
previously deemed unusable
Storing the Sun’s Energy
(Photosynthesis)
What
is needed
Sunlight
CO2
Nutrients
Storage
http://www.veggievan.org/downloads/articles/Biodiesel%20from%20Algae.pdf
of Energy
Lipids and oils
Carbohydrates
What affects oil production?
Climate
Cold weather reduces algae oil production
Overcast days reduce sunlight and lower oil
production
Nutrients
Depletion of Nitrogen and Silicate
Controlling Nutrients
Nitrogen
Aids in cell division
Silicate
Aids in cell wall production
Depleting
Nutrients
Starving the algae of these two nutrients reduce
the rate of cell division
Oil production remains constant
Results in an increase in the oil to mass ratio
CO2
The Glenturret Distillery in Perthshire, UK –
home to The Famous Grouse Whisky –
percolate CO2 made during the whisky
distillation through a microalgae bioreactor.
Each tonne of microalgae absorbs two
tonnes of CO2. Scottish Bioenergy, who run
the project, sell the microalgae as high value,
protein-rich food for fisheries. In the future,
they will use the algae residues to produce
renewable energy through anaerobic
digestion
The Algae Pond
http://www.veggievan.org/downloads/articles/Biodiesel%20from%20Algae.pdf
Mass Production of Algae
http://www.veggievan.org/downloads/articles/Biodiesel%20from%20Algae.pdf
Choosing an Algae
Important
characteristics of
Algae
High % of total
biomass is oil
Maintains a high %
of oil even under
stress
Compatible with the
area climate
What Type of Algae
Botryococcus
braunii
Converts 61% of its
biomass into oil
86% of it is long
chain hydrocarbons
Drops to only 31% oil
under stress
Grows best between
22-25oC (71-77oF)
Where To Grow It
Extensions
plants
onto our water treatment
Clean up our waste and generate fuel
Agriculture
Exploit the county’s many farms and vineyards
Soda
runoff
Lake
Salt lake east of Santa Margarita
Vast open space of Carrizo Plain
Only has water in winter/spring months
National Monument status may prevent
development
Feasibility
Is it too good to be true?
DOE concluded a 16-year study of algal biomass in 1996
(and wrote a 328-page report)
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf
With good temperatures, could harvest 50 grams of algae
per sq. meter per day
Used a 1,000 m2 pond for 1 year
Conducted large-scale tests in California, New Mexico
and Hawaii
Research stopped due to budget cuts
UNH paper may hopefully rekindle research
Due to the burgeoning interest in alternatives to
fossil fuels, there has been renewed research
interest in Botryococcus braunii. The DOE Joint
Genome Institute is sequencing the DNA of Bb in
2009-2010
$ Per Barrel
http://futures.tradingcharts.com/chart/CO/M
Show Me The Money!!!
The
current price of diesel is growing
What does this mean for Biodiesel?
Cost per hectare
Pressing oil from the algae
Dry the algae and press the oil from it.
Can retrieve up to 70% of the oil.
While drying must prevent the algae
from becoming contaminated.
Cheapest and simplest method
Chemical Oil Extraction
Use
hexane solvents to remove the oil.
Hexane is a neurotoxin.
Must be careful when using.
Removes oil out of almost all things.
http://forums.biodieselnow.com/topic.asp?TOPIC
_ID=3414
Super Critical Oil Extraction
Most
efficient method.
Uses carbon dioxide at critical pressure
and temperature (CO2 is almost a liquid).
Carbon dioxide.
Rapid diffusion of the oil.
Very expensive process.
http://www.organix.net/organix/supercritical.htm
TAG (triacylglycerol)
Three
chains of fatty acids attached to a
glycerol
Natural oil from the algae
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf
Transesterification
Start
with
triacylglycerol (TAG)
End up with alkyl ester
alcohol (biodiesel)
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf
Three ways to produce
biodiesel
Base
catalyzed transesterification with
alcohol.
Acid catalyzed esterification with
methanol.
Convert the oil to fatty acids. Then acid
catalyze to alkyl esters.
http://biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/Produ
ction.PDF
Base Catalyzed with Alcohol
Most
common process
Most economical
Low pressure (20psi)
Low temperature (150oF)
No intermediate steps
High conversion rate (98%)
http://biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/Produ
ction.PDF
General Process
http://biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/Produ
ction.PDF
Diesel Hybrid
GM Hybrid Bus
Hybrid Bus Statistics
GM
Hybrid Bus
EP system
Clean Hybrid technology
Hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide
reduction of about 90%
Nitrous oxide reduction of about 50%
Already in service in many cities
Up to 60% improved fuel economy
http:www.gm.com/company/adv_tech/300_hybrid
s/index_bus.html
Conclusion
Algae
is a very efficient means of
producing biodiesel
The oil production from algae farms is
feasible and scalable
Further research necessary to unlock full
potential of algae
Questions