Algae fuel

DSCE CHEMICAL ENGG. 1

Dayananda Sagar College of EngineeringDepartment of Chemical Engineering

Presented by :- PIYUSH KUMAR 1DS12CH026

Seminar on :- Algae-Biofuel

16-Mar-16


Contents :-

Introduction Why algae fuel? Comparison of Oil yields Production process Other uses of algae Conclusion References

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Algae:-

Algae (Latin: seaweed) are prokaryotic or eukaryotic photosynthetic microorganisms that can grow rapidly and live in harsh conditions due to their unicellular or simple multicellular structure.

Autotrophic: Organisms that produce complex organic compounds from simple inorganic molecules using energy from light (photosynthesis)

Algae are dated back to approximately 3 billion years in the Precambrian age (4600 Ma to 542 Ma; 88% of geological time).

The first plants on earth evolved from shallow freshwater algae.

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Biofuels – the green alternative :

Derived form biological materials through biomass conversion Renewable Production requires more effort and resources Can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions

1. Release CO2 when burning

2. Biofuel production consumes it back. Types: • Ethanol

• Biodiesel

• Bio gasoline

• Bio butanol

• Methane

• Jet fuel16-Mar-16


Evolution of Biofuel Production :-

BIOFUEL

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Why Algae Fuel ?

Can be grown on marginal lands useless for ordinary crops . High yield per acre – have a harvesting cycle of 1–10 days . Can be grown with minimal impact on fresh water resources . Can be grown using flue gas from power plants as a CO2 source . Can convert a much higher fraction of biomass to oil than conventional crops, e.g. 60%

versus 2-3% for soybean. No competition with food supply.

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Comparison of Oil Yields :-

Yields ( Gallons of oil per acre per year )

Corn 18

Soybeans 48

Safflower 83Sunflower 102

Rapeseed 127

Oil Palm 635

Micro Algae 5000-15000

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Production process:-

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Algae Cultivation :-

Algae Cultivation systems

Currently, two main systems for algae cultivation widely adopted are :-

• Open ponds (raceways)

• Photobioreactors (PBR)

Open ponds Photobioreactors

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Open pond :- Algae is cultivated in ponds which are exposed to open air. Mostly uses environmental carbon dioxide. Open ponds are the most widely used system for large- scale outdoor microalgae

cultivation low cost method but needs plenty amount of water. Subject to contamination from predator strains Subject to evaporative water loss Subject to a difficult control of temperature (day/night, seasonal) Lead to solutions with little biomass concentration Require larger amount of nutrients (N, P)

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Photobioreactors :-

Made up of Plastic or borosilicate glass tubes that are exposed to sunlight. Allow single species culture Allow easier and accurate provision of nutrients (N, P) Lead to more concentrated solutions Need larger amounts of energy for mixing and to maintain temperature With flue gases (having an higher CO2 concentration than the atmosphere) Provides carefully controlled artificial environment and specific conditions to algae. Biomass could be derived from nutrient- rich wastewater and flue gas carbon dioxide in a

photobioreactor.

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Harvesting :- The harvesting process occurs through a number of steps

1. Flocculation

•Use of chemical binding agents and air flotation (established solution for sewage

systems) in order to collect biomass. Eg FeCl3

2. Filtration

• Process used after flocculation, to reduce the amount of water (de-watering)

3. Centrifugation

• Mechanical process well established in industry, it enhances the concentration

and may destroy the cell wall, leading to a difficult extraction of oils. As a

result, appropriate strains would need to be developed

Flocculation, filtration about 3% concentration in water

Centrifugation about 20%

Further concentration of the biomass is required for the oil extraction through conventional solvents.

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Drying:-

Harvested algae contain 97%-99% water. Removal of most of the water is necessary for long term storage of the algae feedstock

and is required for many downstream processes. To keep algae from prolonged microbial growth, the moisture level of the harvested

algae should be kept below 7%. Drying is an energy intensive process and can account for up to 30% of the total

production costs. Natural drying (solar and wind) is the most economical way; however, its weather

dependent nature could easily put the operation at risk of spoilage. It also requires a large space.

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Extraction :-

Pressing oil from the algae:- Dry the algae and press the oil from it , can retrieve up to 70% of the oil

simplest and cheapest method

Chemical Oil Extraction :- Use Hexane solvent to remove the oil .

Super Critical Oil Extraction :- Most efficient method , uses CO2 at critical pressure and temperature

causing rapid diffusion of the oil , very expensive process.

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Other uses of algae :- Microalgae are used as human nutrition, animal feed, aquaculture etc. Algal biomass contains 20%-40% protein, 30%-50% lipid, 20% carbohydrate, and 10%

other compounds. Depending on the conversion processes, a range of products can be obtained from algal

biomass

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Conclusion:-

Conclusion Algae Biofuel is a very promising candidate to replace fossil fuels Algae’s cultivation does not require that it compete with food crops Ability for algae to be cultivated on non-arable land, using saltwater, greatly reduces its

impact on the environment Algae is easy to grow. Can produce a high yield of oil. Further research necessary to unlock full potential of algae Help to solve dependence on fossil fuels can be better for the Earth.

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References :- Research Papers • Ben, A., Amotz , Large Scale Open Algae Ponds, The National Institute of

Oceanography Nature Beta Technologies Ltd. Nikken Sohonsha Co, Japan Seambiotic Ltd. ISRAEL • Eleazer ,P. R. , Lisa, M. C. , Mark, A. White , Andres F. C., 2012,

Comparison of algae cultivation methods for bioenergy production using a combined life cycle assessment and life cycle costing approach, Bioresource Technology 126 (2012) 298–306 • Jorquera, O., Kiperstok, A., Sales, E.A., Embiruçu, M., Ghirardi, M.L., 2010. Comparative energy life-cycle analyses of microalgal biomass production in open ponds and photobioreactors. Bioresource Technology 101, 1406–1413.

Websites

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae_fuel www.sciencedirect.com

http://www.oilgae.com/ http://inhabitat.com/algae-covered-buildings-to-boost-biofuel-

http://inhabitat.com/power-your-car-with-algae-algae-biocrude-by-livefuels/

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/

http://inhabitat.com/algae-covered-buildings-to-boost-biofuel-

http://inhabitat.com/algae-covered-buildings-to-boost-biofuel-

DSCE CHEMICAL ENGG. 18 THANK YOU !

16-Mar-16