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Algae to Biodiesel

Explore the potential of algae as a renewable energy source for biodiesel production. Learn about algae technology, including open pond and bioreactor systems, its advantages over traditional crops, challenges faced, and the promising role it plays in meeting fuel demands and reducing greenhouse gases.

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Algae to Biodiesel

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  1. Algae to Biodiesel Joshua J. Heller Department of Chemical Engineering The University of Texas at Austin

  2. Presentation Overview • Background • Algae • Technology • Open Pond • Bioreactor • Greenhouse • Challenges • Conclusion

  3. 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

  4. Background Cont. • Compatible with existing technology • Engines • Infrastructure • Versatile growing environment • Non-arable land • Will not displace food crops • Potentially reduces greenhouse gases

  5. Algae • Main sources of energy • Lipids • Fatty acids • Lipid accumulation • Environmental stress • Greater under nutrient deficient conditions

  6. 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

  7. Technology – Open Pond • National Renewable Energy Laboratory • Relatively cheap • Synergy with power plant waste CO2 and waste water nutrients

  8. Increased surface area Turbulent mixing Power plant pollutant scrubber Capital costs relatively more expensive Technology – Bioreactor

  9. Small scale Greater temperature control Need access to local processing facility Technology - Greenhouse

  10. 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

  11. Conclusion • High potential • Variety of developing technologies • Several challenges • Bridge fuel • One piece of the “all of the above” energy solution approach

  12. Questions?

  13. 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.

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