Biofuel production from algae

From: mk_thisisit

Professor Małgorzata Hawrot-Paw and her team at the West Pomeranian University of Technology are developing innovative methods for producing fuel and other valuable products from algae. This research takes place in the Oz 2.0 technology laboratory, which was created to demonstrate the entire cycle of microalgae biomass production for energy purposes [01:48:01].

Types of Biofuels Produced

The research focuses on creating various forms of energy from algae biomass [10:32:15]. Theoretically, it is possible to produce any liquid or gaseous fuel from algae [00:17:17] [11:29:16]. Specifically, the laboratory can prepare:

• Biodiesel (a substitute for conventional diesel) [00:06:17] [02:27:03] [11:49:03]
• Bioethanol (a substitute for petroleum gasoline) [00:09:10] [02:30:17] [11:59:04]
• Biogas [00:13:23] [02:35:18] [02:42:55] [11:41:40]
• Hydrogen [12:04:30]
• Bio-oil (through pyrolysis) [12:08:14]
• Synthesis gas (through gasification) [12:11:00]

Algae Cultivation and Biomass Production

The process begins with producing algae biomass [03:52:43].

Cultivation Methods

There are two primary methods for cultivating algae:

1. Open systems: These are essentially algae ponds [04:06:51]. While possible to produce, they face challenges such as pollution, evaporation, and greater dependence on environmental conditions, making year-round production difficult in some regions [08:02:12] [08:04:14] [08:06:44].
2. Photobioreactor systems: These closed systems offer more controlled environments [04:09:09].

Cultivation Requirements

Algae require specific conditions for growth:

• Light: Photobioreactors use LED lighting, specifically red-blue diodes, as this spectrum is most photosynthetically active and energy-efficient for algae [04:39:56] [04:57:11] [05:06:05]. About 10% white light is also added [05:41:09].
• Water: Research indicates that algae can be grown on sewage, which not only provides water but also nutrients, reducing the need for purchased materials [21:42:07] [21:55:00] [22:36:10].
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Algae need CO2 for photosynthesis and can utilize industrial CO2 emissions, offering a way to capture carbon [04:46:17] [22:44:11] [22:55:58].
• Nutrients/Fertilizers: These are essential for algae development [04:49:15].

Temperature and Harvest

Algae can develop in a wide range of temperatures, with 20-30 degrees Celsius being most beneficial [05:56:06] [05:59:17]. While laboratory scale allows strong temperature control, industrial production adapts to environmental conditions [06:08:04]. The maximum temperature for most algae species is around 40-45 degrees Celsius [06:42:15].

Algae offer a significant advantage over traditional energy crops: they do not have a specific growing season [07:33:14]. Harvests can occur every 7 to 10 days, year-round, in controlled bioreactors [07:08:12] [07:37:05]. Cultivation can be periodic (start and end) or continuous (harvesting part and supplementing) [06:58:39] [07:12:12].

Processing the Algae Biomass

After cultivation, the algae mass needs to be processed to extract fuel or other valuable components.

1. Dehydration: Algae density in tanks is low, so the biomass must be separated from the culture medium [08:41:09] [08:54:02]. Methods include:
   • Sedimentation (simple physical method) [09:11:15]
   • Flocculation (adding natural or synthetic reagents to group cells) [09:15:26]
   • Filtration (using a filter cap with a mesh smaller than algae size) [09:49:07]
   • Centrifugation (for larger volumes, yielding a paste) [10:13:39] [10:17:15]
2. Further Processing: The resulting algae paste, described as “green energy storage,” can be used wet or dried for longer storage [10:29:08] [11:01:21]. Processing methods include pressing oil for biodiesel [10:42:07] and thermochemical methods [10:46:27].

Applications and Benefits

Environmental Benefits of Algae-Based Energy

The entire production process offers significant environmental benefits [21:18:13]:

• Oxygen Production: Algae produce most of the Earth’s oxygen, not trees [00:43:08] [23:26:01].
• CO2 Capture: Algae utilize carbon dioxide emissions for photosynthesis, helping to reduce atmospheric CO2 [22:53:06].
• Water Recycling: Algae can be grown on sewage, recycling wastewater and its nutrients [21:55:00] [22:36:10]. This means less need to buy materials and helps address water deficit [22:39:10].
• Safe Energy Storage: Algae biomass is a safe, non-flammable energy storage medium that can be stored for long periods without losing quality or energy stability [14:20:13] [14:25:01] [14:31:07].

Energy Independence for Homes

A test installation demonstrates how algae, in conjunction with photovoltaic panels, can maximize the use of light energy to power a house [12:31:18] [12:48:47]. This allows for energy independence, as the house can function without connection to the traditional power grid [00:27:08] [12:55:00]. The algae bioreactors act as an energy storage system [13:12:00]. For external use on building facades, bioreactors would need protection from temperature differences and require access to light to convert solar energy into chemical components stored in the biomass via photosynthesis [13:29:08] [13:50:09] [14:00:54].

Innovative Uses of Algae Biomass

Beyond biofuels, the remaining biomass after oil extraction (rich in carbohydrates and proteins) can be used in other sectors [17:09:59]:

• Pharmaceuticals [17:15:01]
• Cosmetics [17:18:04]
• Biofertilizers: Algae can be encapsulated in alginate (derived from algae) to create ecological slow-release fertilizers. This prevents overuse and runoff into water bodies, a common problem with traditional fertilizers causing eutrophication [17:18:59] [18:08:08] [18:12:09] [18:30:11] [18:48:00].
• Biopesticides: Algae contain valuable ingredients and substances that support plant growth and can act as biopesticides [17:54:14] [17:58:34].

Commercialization and Innovation

Algae have been used to produce fuel for driving cars in the United States [15:26:10]. In 2011, there was the first flight of a passenger plane entirely on fuel from algae [00:33:04] [15:52:50]. Earlier attempts involved a 50/50 blend of conventional and algae fuel for helicopters [15:44:03].

The challenge with commercialization has been the economic viability compared to traditional fuels [16:27:37]. However, current research aims to make the process profitable by demonstrating diverse uses for algae biomass beyond just biofuels, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biofertilizers [16:50:00] [17:20:20]. This diversified approach makes the process more economically attractive [17:29:21].

The team at West Pomeranian University of Technology is currently preparing to patent their production line [19:22:31].

Why Algae are Effective

Algae are highly effective energy stores because they carry out photosynthesis more intensively than plants, accumulating significant amounts of valuable ingredients in a short time [23:44:06] [23:52:27] [23:55:00]. This means much larger yields can be obtained from a smaller surface area compared to traditional energy plants [24:07:05]. While energy plants might yield 19-20 tons per hectare, algae can yield 40-80 tons, with theoretical potential exceeding 100 or even 280 tons per hectare [24:14:48] [24:24:05].

Professor Małgorzata Hawrot-Paw, a microbiologist, expresses deep passion for her work with algae, highlighting the incredible possibilities for biomass processing and the immense environmental profit [20:54:02] [21:03:00] [21:16:03]. She hopes that demonstrating the entire production process will encourage wider adoption and investment in this innovative technology [24:50:24] [24:59:43].