Micro Algae Production: A Renewable, Sustainable Alternative to Produce Fuels and Fertilizers

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Micro Algae Production A Renewable, Sustainable
Alternative to Produce Fuels and Fertilizers

• Ganti S. Murthy
• Biological and Ecological Engineering Department
• Oregon State University
• 16th, Jan, 2008

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Need for Sustainable Biobased Economy

• Three important considerations
• Energy resources and their contribution
• Population growth and economy
• Global climate change

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World Energy Scenario

• Energy sources
• Non Renewable Petroleum, coal, nuclear
• Renewable Solar, wind, hydro and biomass

Are all forms of energy the same? kWhr from coal
? kWhr from gasoline ? kWhr from electricity

• Usability is determined by the following
  characteristics of energy sources.
• High energy density
• Long shelf life
• Safety
• Quality

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World Energy Scenario
Source http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ImageWorld_e
nergy_usage_width_chart.svg Data Renewables in
global energy supply. IEA Report, 2007.
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Energy Consumption and Economy
Energy is the real currency of economies.

Source Frank van Mierlo , http//en.wikipedia.org
/wiki/ImageEnergy_consumption_versus_GDP.png
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Emerging Economies
Newly industrialized countries
Emerging economies
Other developing countries
Source http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ImageWorld_p
opulation.PNG
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Arable Land in the World
Source http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ImageArable_
land_percent_world.png Data CIA Factobook
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Renewables Just Fuels?

• Nitrogenous fertilizers
• Production of polymers (polylactic acid and zein)
  
• Fuels and chemicals from cattle manure
• Alternate uses for lignin production of value
  added products, use for heating
• Nutraceuticals

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Sustainable Technologies Laboratory
Biodiesel
Transportation
Carbon Dioxide
Power Plants
Solar Energy
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Integrated Algae Production Technology
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Biodiesel Production Comparison
Crop Biodiesel Potential (gal/acre)
Soybeans 48
Canola 127
Oil Palm 635
Algae 819 (Actual)
Algae 5000 (Theoretical)

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Algae Advantages

• Higher productivities as compared to conventional
  crops (30 times more yield than soybean per
  acre/yr)
• Lower water consumption for growth (99 less
  water)
• Waste water and flue gases can be used to grow
  algae
• Some strains of algae selectively adsorb heavy
  metal ions
• Algae grow in diverse environmental conditions

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Algae Challenges

• Theoretical maximum yields have not been achieved
  in commercial facilities
• Open ponds susceptible to contamination, lower
  productivities
• Closed photobioreactors are relatively expensive
• Algae harvesting and oil recovery needs
  innovative solutions
• Nucleic acids in some algae reduces productivity
  of animals

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Algae Biomass Flue Gas Utilization
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Algae Production in a Solar Powered
Photobioreactor Economic Analysis
Assumptions Assumptions
Light source power consumption (W/ foot) 0.8
Cost for a 200W panel () 950
Peak power from panel (W) 200
Eficiency of panel ( peak power) 50
Area of a 200W panel (sq. m) 1.414
Days of operation (per year) 365
Algae produced ( w/v) 0.03/0.06
Oil content of Algae ( w/w) 0.3
oil (30 at 0.729 density) 0.219
Revenue (/gal) 2
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Algae Production in a Solar Powered
Photobioreactor Economic Analysis
Area Ratio (panel area/PBR area) Area Ratio (panel area/PBR area) Area Ratio (panel area/PBR area) Area Ratio (panel area/PBR area) Area Ratio (panel area/PBR area)
power consumption per foot power consumption per foot power consumption per foot power consumption per foot
0.96 1.2 2.4 3.6
Area Ratio (panel area/PBR area) 2.33 2.91 5.81 8.72
Payback period (years) 0.06 w/v 3.61 4.51 9.02 13.53
Payback period (years) 0.03 w/v 7.21 9.02 18.04 27.06
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Algae Production Technology Project

• Objectives
• Experimental validation of the concepts using
  prototype photobioreactor systems
• Determine efficiencies of algae recovery and
  processing technologies
• Complete economic analysis of the technology
  alternatives
• Preparation of a business plan for algae
  production technology alternatives

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Sustainable Technologies Laboratory

• Thank you

Ganti S. Murthy Biological and Ecological
Engineering Department Oregon State
University murthy_at_engr.orst.edu 541-737-6291