Algae- Green as It GetsAlgae- Green as It GetsLindsey Rae GjordingLindsey Rae Gjording

What is Algae?Necessities of LifeOil Extraction MethodsAlgae as a Fuel: Biodiesel and

Hydrogen Pros and Cons

What is Algae?Necessities of LifeOil Extraction MethodsAlgae as a Fuel: Biodiesel and

Hydrogen Pros and Cons

What is algae?What is algae?A large and diverse group of

simple, usually autotrophic organisms that can have either unicellular or multicellular forms.

A large and diverse group of simple, usually autotrophic organisms that can have either unicellular or multicellular forms.

Hype and more hypeHype and more hype

Algae can produce up to 15 times more oil per acre than all other plants used for biofuel

Algae can double its volume overnightIt would take an algae farm the size of

Texas to produce enough hydrogen to meet the world’s energy needs

Algae can produce up to 15 times more oil per acre than all other plants used for biofuel

Algae can double its volume overnightIt would take an algae farm the size of

Texas to produce enough hydrogen to meet the world’s energy needs

What algae needs to growWhat algae needs to grow

Carbon dioxideSunlightWater

Carbon dioxideSunlightWater

CyanobacteriaCyanobacteria

Oil Extraction MethodsOil Extraction Methods

Oil Press MethodHexane Solvent MethodSupercritical Fluid ExtractionEnzymatic Extraction Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction

Oil Press MethodHexane Solvent MethodSupercritical Fluid ExtractionEnzymatic Extraction Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction

Oil Press Method:Oil Press Method:

Ultrasonic assisted extraction

Ultrasonic assisted extraction

The ProcessThe Process

Ultrasonic waves are used to create cavitation bubbles in a solvent material

When the bubbles collapse near cell walls they create shock waves and liquid jets that cause the cell walls to break and the oil to be released into the solvent

Ultrasonic waves are used to create cavitation bubbles in a solvent material

When the bubbles collapse near cell walls they create shock waves and liquid jets that cause the cell walls to break and the oil to be released into the solvent

Algae as Fuel: BiodieselAlgae as Fuel: Biodiesel

The lipid oil is converted into biodiesel.

Easiest way is with the oil press.

The lipid oil is converted into biodiesel.

Easiest way is with the oil press.

Algae as Fuel: Biological Hydrogen

Algae as Fuel: Biological Hydrogen

C. reinhardtii, when deprived of sulfur, will switch from producing oxygen to produce hydrogen.

Due to an enzyme within called hydrogenase, which is activated when algae’s internal oxygen flow is interrupted.

C. reinhardtii, when deprived of sulfur, will switch from producing oxygen to produce hydrogen.

Due to an enzyme within called hydrogenase, which is activated when algae’s internal oxygen flow is interrupted.

ProsPros

Versatility in growth methodsVersatility in usesSpeed of productionPotential for huge production

levelsCO2 reduction

Versatility in growth methodsVersatility in usesSpeed of productionPotential for huge production

levelsCO2 reduction

ConsCons

Energy intensiveNot competitive against foreign oil

(yet)Needs fundingTechnology not ready

Energy intensiveNot competitive against foreign oil

(yet)Needs fundingTechnology not ready