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While extreme poverty has been reduced considerably in the past decades, there
are pockets in the world where it still stubbornly persists.
Worldwide, child mortality decreased substantially over the past several decades.
Child marriage has continued to decline around the world.
Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy for all is one step
closer.
Despite efforts to reduce the risks from disasters, economic losses in 2017
attributed to disasters were estimated at over $300 billion.
Global hunger is on the rise after a period of prolonged decline.
Urgent action on climate change is imperative, as 2017 was one of the three
warmest years on record.
What is a Biofuel?
Photosynthesis is a biological carbon fixation process
utilized by plants to obtain energy in the form of
• Biofuel (aka Agrofuel): Any fuel whose carbohydrates.
energy is obtained through a process of
biological carbon fixation
• Carbon Fixation
• A chemistry process that converts
carbon dioxide into a hydrocarbon
molecule (a source of energy) that would
be found in a living organism
• If this process occurs in a living
organism, it is referred to as “biological
carbon fixation”
Drying Processing
Harvested algae contain 97%-99% water. Extracting the oil and converting the oil from algae
Removal of most of the water is necessary for long to biodiesel are the primary driving force for algae
term storage of the algae feedstock and is required to fuels technology development.
for many downstream processes. The oil extracted can be converted to biodiesel via
To keep algae from prolonged microbial growth, transesterification reaction.
the moisture level of the harvested algae should be Nevertheless, the whole algae or the residues from
kept below 7%. oil extraction are excellent feedstock for making
Drying is an energy intensive process and can other fuels and products via different processes.
account for up to 30% of the total production For example, the starch and cellulose components
costs. are suitable for ethanol fermentation.
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 requires a long time and labour.
Oil Extraction Methods
Bio-Diesel Hybrid
• GM Hybrid Bus
EP system
Clean Hybrid technology
Hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide reduction
of about 90%
Nitrous oxide reduction of about 50%
Already in service in many cities
Up to 60% improved fuel economy
Advantages
• They are newer and dependable sources of energy.
• Biodiesel serves as a sustainable source of energy due to the lower carbon
footprint.
• Greenhouse Gases -The emission of greenhouse gases is low thus it does
not contribute much in the global warming.
• Energy Independent - If a country has enough area to develop a significant
amount of biomass and produce bio fuel from it, it makes that nation
energy independent.
• Economic Source - Biodiesel is an economic source as it requires cheaper
substrate and also generates jobs.
• Algal biomass - It is the best biomass which can be used, it produces an oil
which can easily be transformed into diesel.
Disadvantages
• Stability - The bio fuel derived from algal biomass possesses less stability
due to a high content of poly unsaturated fats.
• Mono culture problem - Production of single kind of biomass may pose a
threat of loss due to pest, water pollution, catastrophic failure.
• Water requirements - Whether is closed system or open ponds agal
biomass requires a significant amount of water.
• Surface area - Growing sufficient algal biomass requires a large surface
area.
• Fertilizer production is carbon dependent
• Relatively high upfront capital costs
• Not clear yet what the ultimate cost per gallon will be. Presently too high.
Conclusion
• Algae is a very efficient means of producing biodiesel.
• The oil production from algae farms is feasible and scalable.
• Further research necessary to unlock full potential of algae.
• Biodiesel has become more attractive recently because of its
environmental benefits and the fact that it is made from renewable
resources.
• With the increase in global human population, more land may be
needed to produce food for human consumption (indirectly via
animal feed).
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