The environmental feasibility of algae biodiesel production

Biodiesel has been receiving increasing attention as a potential sustainable fuel. It is used for diesel engines and is becoming well-known as an environmentally friendly fuel due to its non-toxic and biodegradable characteristics. As biodiesel production, Dunaliella salina algae could be an alternative raw material. Due to their high biomass productivity, rapid lipid accumulation, and ability to survive in saline water, algae has been identified as promising feedstocks for industrial-scale production of biodiesel [1]. The oil content of Dunaliella salina algae may exceed to 35%. Using two-step catalytic conversion, algae oil with high free fatty acid and triglyceride content was converted to biodiesel by esterification and transesterification. The conversion rate reached 98% under the ratio of 10:1 at 65°C for 2h,using catalysis with 2% solid superacid.

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Biodiesel synthesis from photoautotrophic cultivated oleoginous microalgae using a sand dollar catalyst

RSC Advances ◽

10.1039/c5ra05801e ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (58) ◽

pp. 47140-47152 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

S. H. Teo ◽

A. Islam ◽

F. L. Ng ◽

Y. H. Taufiq-Yap

Keyword(s):

Neutral Lipid ◽

Mixed Oxide ◽

High Performance ◽

Culture Conditions ◽

Biodiesel Production ◽

Sand Dollar ◽

Algae Biodiesel ◽

Biodiesel Synthesis

A green heterogeneous mixed oxide CaO–MgO catalyst was developed from Clypeaster reticulatus. Neutral lipid accumulations from microalgal under optimum culture conditions. The catalyst exhibited high performance toward the algae biodiesel production.

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Investigation of the Effect of Growth From Low to High Biomass Concentration Inside a Photobioreactor on Hydrodynamic Properties of Scenedesmus obliquus

Journal of Energy Resources Technology ◽

10.1115/1.4005245 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 134 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Evan Le ◽

Chanwoo Park ◽

Sage Hiibel

Keyword(s):

Production Efficiency ◽

Scenedesmus Obliquus ◽

Biomass Concentration ◽

High Energy ◽

Biodiesel Production ◽

Algal Culture ◽

High Biomass ◽

Algae Biodiesel ◽

The Impact ◽

High Biomass Concentration

Most of the current production cost in algae biodiesel plants utilizing photobioreactors comes from the high energy required for pumping, CO2 transfer, mixing, and harvesting. Since pumping affects the mixing and CO2 transfer, which are the main factors in algae productivities, solutions to reduce the required energy for pumps can significantly make algae biodiesel production more economically feasible. An investigation on the effect of Scenedesmus obliquus’s growth from low to high biomass concentration inside a horizontal tubular photobioreactor to determine the impact that it has on hydrodynamic performances, which will affect cost and production efficiency, was performed. As the biomass concentration increased, the algal culture was found to remain Newtonian. Additionally, the biomass concentration (expressed in cell density) was found to have lower viscosity even at the highest concentrations evaluated at 2.48 × 108 cell/ml (1.372 × 10−3 ± 1.32 × 10−4 Pa s) compared to the Modified Bold’s 3N medium (1.408 × 10−3 ± 9.41 × 10−5 Pa s). Furthermore, the total energy consumption does not appear to depend on the S. obliquus biomass concentrations, but rather on the medium the algae grows in. The rheological properties of autotrophic algae will not have significant impact on energy requirements until technology improves so that the concentrations reach those of heterotrophic algae.

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Use of Copper to Selectively Inhibit Brachionus calyciflorus (Predator) Growth in Chlorella kessleri (Prey) Mass Cultures for Algae Biodiesel Production

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms160920674 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 16 (9) ◽

pp. 20674-20684 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Vishnupriya Pradeep ◽

Steven Van Ginkel ◽

Sichoon Park ◽

Thomas Igou ◽

Christine Yi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brachionus Calyciflorus ◽

Biodiesel Production ◽

Chlorella Kessleri ◽

Algae Biodiesel ◽

Mass Cultures ◽

Prey Mass

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Sustainable Algae Biodiesel Production in Cold Climates

International Journal of Chemical Engineering ◽

10.1155/2010/102179 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2010 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Rudras Baliga ◽

Susan E. Powers

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Energy Consumption ◽

Waste Heat ◽

Primary Source ◽

Operating Conditions ◽

Biodiesel Production ◽

Substantial Contribution ◽

Cold Climates ◽

Algae Biodiesel

This life cycle assessment aims to determine the most suitable operating conditions for algae biodiesel production in cold climates to minimize energy consumption and environmental impacts. Two hypothetical photobioreactor algae production and biodiesel plants located in Upstate New York (USA) are modeled. The photobioreactor is assumed to be housed within a greenhouse that is located adjacent to a fossil fuel or biomass power plant that can supply waste heat and flue gas containingCO2as a primary source of carbon. Model results show that the biodiesel areal productivity is high (19 to 25 L of BD/m2/yr). The total life cycle energy consumption was between 15 and 23 MJ/L of algae BD and 20 MJ/L of soy BD. Energy consumption and air emissions for algae biodiesel are substantially lower than soy biodiesel when waste heat was utilized. Algae's most substantial contribution is a significant decrease in the petroleum consumed to make the fuel.

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The Perspective of Large-Scale Production of Algae Biodiesel

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app10228181 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (22) ◽

pp. 8181

Author(s):

Mladen Bošnjaković ◽

Nazaruddin Sinaga

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Diesel Oil ◽

Biodiesel Production ◽

Scale Production ◽

Algae Biomass ◽

Electric Cars ◽

Algae Biodiesel ◽

Large Scale Production ◽

Algal Biodiesel ◽

The Impact

We have had high expectations for using algae biodiesel for many years, but the quantities of biodiesel currently produced from algae are tiny compared to the quantities of conventional diesel oil. Furthermore, no comprehensive analysis of the impact of all factors on the market production of algal biodiesel has been made so far. This paper aims to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with algal biodiesel, to evaluate its production prospects for the biofuels market. The results of the analysis show that it is possible to increase the efficiency of algae biomass production further. However, because the production of this biodiesel is an energy-intensive process, the price of biodiesel is high. Opportunities for more economical production of algal biodiesel are seen in integration with other processes, such as wastewater treatment, but this does not ensure large-scale production. The impact of state policies and laws is significant in the future of algal biodiesel production. With increasingly stringent environmental requirements, electric cars are a significant threat to biodiesel production. By considering all the influencing factors, it is not expected that algal biodiesel will gain an essential place in the fuel market.

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