![Page 1: Ahmed Atta A00013132. Introduction Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082611/56649e235503460f94b11116/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
BIOFUEL SYNTHESIS FROM ALGAE
Ahmed AttaA00013132
![Page 2: Ahmed Atta A00013132. Introduction Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082611/56649e235503460f94b11116/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Introduction
Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics in common with plants; they have cell walls, contain the green pigment chlorophyll, and manufacture their own food through the process of photosynthesis.
Algal Biomass is made up of three major components namely, Carbohydrates, proteins and Lipids. Most of the oils present is made up of triglycerides.
![Page 3: Ahmed Atta A00013132. Introduction Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082611/56649e235503460f94b11116/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Cycle of conversion of Algae
![Page 4: Ahmed Atta A00013132. Introduction Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082611/56649e235503460f94b11116/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Benefits of Producing Algae Oil
Algae is fast growing – each oil-producing cell can mature in just hours
Algae is oil-rich — contains as much as 60% of its dry weight in oil
Algae is carbon neutral – meaning that it does not affect climate like petroleum
Algae is fuel efficient – as much as 1000 times more productive than corn
![Page 5: Ahmed Atta A00013132. Introduction Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082611/56649e235503460f94b11116/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Challenges of Producing Algae Oil
How to maximize light exposure and CO2 absorption for optimum growth
How to optimize algae biomass harvesting and oil extraction
How to keep energy requirements low and make systems affordable
How to refine algae oil and biomass into finished products
![Page 6: Ahmed Atta A00013132. Introduction Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082611/56649e235503460f94b11116/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Constituents
![Page 7: Ahmed Atta A00013132. Introduction Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082611/56649e235503460f94b11116/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Mechanism
![Page 8: Ahmed Atta A00013132. Introduction Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082611/56649e235503460f94b11116/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Definition
Algae oil is a highly viscous oil so in order to achieve maximum efficiency it needs to be converted to a less viscous oil.
Algal oil is converted into biodiesel through a transesterification process. Oil extracted from the algae is mixed with alcohol and an acid or a base to produce the fatty acid methylesters that makes up the biodiesel.
An excess of methanol is used to force the reaction to favor the right side of the equation. The excess methanol is later recovered and reused. If biomass is grown in a sustained way, its combustion has no impact on the CO2 balance in the atmosphere, because the CO2 emitted by the burning of biomass is offset by the CO2 fixed by photosynthesis.
![Page 9: Ahmed Atta A00013132. Introduction Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082611/56649e235503460f94b11116/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Growth of culture
Growth of algae culture can be achieved in two ways: open ponds and photobioreactors (PBR). A photo bioreactor is closed equipment which provides a controlled environment and enables high productivity of algae. As it is a closed system, all growth requirements of algae are introduced into the system and controlled according to the requirements.
The photo bioreactor itself is used to control environmental parameters including light. The cylinders are usually made of acrylic, designed to regulate light and dark intervals to enhance growth rate.
Also PBR’s have a built in cleaning system that internally cleans the tube without affecting production. PBRs facilitate better control of culture environment such as carbon dioxide supply, water supply, optimal temperature, efficient exposure to light, culture density, pH levels, gas supply rate, mixing regime.
![Page 10: Ahmed Atta A00013132. Introduction Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082611/56649e235503460f94b11116/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Photobioreactors
![Page 11: Ahmed Atta A00013132. Introduction Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082611/56649e235503460f94b11116/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Process Diagram for Biodiesel Production from Algae
![Page 12: Ahmed Atta A00013132. Introduction Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082611/56649e235503460f94b11116/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Harvesting of culture
Microalgae are grown in a photobioreactor, which is a closed vessel that allows light to penetrate to a
growth medium consisting of water, nutrients, and algal cells.
2) Microalgae harvesting separates the oil rich algae from the water, allowing the water and some algae to
recycle back to the photobioreactor. 3) Oil extraction from the harvested algae. This is most
commonly done by solvent extraction, and may be preceded by mechanical cell disruption as well. The
solvent is recovered and reused after this step. 4) Biodiesel production is most often done by
transesterification with alcohol and a catalyst.
![Page 13: Ahmed Atta A00013132. Introduction Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082611/56649e235503460f94b11116/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Conclusion
Biodiesel derived from oil crops is a potential renewable source and carbon neutral alternative to petroleum fuels. However, the high cost and limited supply of renewable oils prevent it from becoming a top competitor for petroleum fuels. As petroleum fuels cost rise and supplies decrease, biodiesel will become more attractive to both investors and consumers. Because biodiesel from oil crops, waste cooking oil and animal fat cannot fulfill a small fraction of the existing demand for transport fuels, microalgae appear to be the only source of renewable biodiesel that is capable of meeting the global demand for transport fuels.
![Page 14: Ahmed Atta A00013132. Introduction Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082611/56649e235503460f94b11116/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Finance
It is reported that one company could produce 180,000
gallons of biodiesel every year from just one acre of algae, which comes to about
4,000 barrels; at a cost of $25 per barrel or $0.59 per gallon.
Compared to the cost of Petroleum which costs $67.
![Page 15: Ahmed Atta A00013132. Introduction Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082611/56649e235503460f94b11116/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Feasibility
Company Location Business Finance support
Inventure Chemical
Seattle, USA Algae-jet fuel Imperium Renewables; Cedar Grove Investment;
Origin Oil California, USA Algae biodiesel technology
Public held
ALG Western Oil
South Africa Algae biodiesel technology
Odyssey Oil & Gas
![Page 16: Ahmed Atta A00013132. Introduction Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082611/56649e235503460f94b11116/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Disadvantages
Highly expensive to setup infrastructure for synthesis of Algae into Biodiesel.
Processing in commercial scale is relatively difficult, mostly processed on small scale (Laboratory).
![Page 17: Ahmed Atta A00013132. Introduction Algae are a diverse group of primarily aquatic, single celled, plant like organisms. Most algae have characteristics](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082611/56649e235503460f94b11116/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Alternative
Due to the static cost associated with oil extraction and biodiesel processing and the variability of algal-biomass production, future cost-saving efforts for algal-oil production should focus on the production method of the oil rich algae itself.
This needs to be approached through enhancing algal biology (in terms of biomass yield and oil content) and culture-system engineering.