Algae BiofuelFuel of the Future

MT5009 Analyzing High-Tech Opportunities

Presented byAdrian (A0027118M)Dominik (A0133486B)Hari (A0132989M)Krem (A0132973R)Sathish (A0133745E)Varun (A0133475E)

For information on presentations on other technologies, see http://www.slideshare.net/Funk98/presentations

Agenda

• Introduction to Biofuels

• Why Algae Biofuel?

• Production Process

• Production Costs

• Rates of Improvement

• Entrepreneurial Opportunities

• Conclusion

Biofuels – the green alternative

• Derived form biological materials through biomass conversion

• Renewable

• Production requires more effort and resources

• Can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions• Release CO2 when burning

• Biofuel production consumes it back

• Types:• Ethanol

• Biodiesel

• Bio gasoline

• Bio butanol

• Methane

• Jet fuel

Evolution of Biofuel Production

http://www.responsiblebusiness.eu/display/rebwp7/Technology

1st Generation vs. 2nd Generation

2nd Generation:

• Produced from non-edible crops grown on non-arable land

• Lignocellulosic biomass or woody crops, agricultural residues or organic waste

• Harder to extract the required fuel

• Potential to be net energy positive

1st Generation:

• Produced mainly from agricultural crops traditionally grown for food and animal purposes

• Wheat, sugar cane and oily seeds

• Contribute to higher food prices, carbon stores & land use

• Net energy negative

Agenda

• Introduction to Biofuels

• Why Algae Biofuel?

• Production Process

• Production Costs

• Rates of Improvement

• Entrepreneurial Opportunities

• Conclusion

Algal Basics

• Algae are simple plants that range from microalgae to large seaweeds, such as giant kelp

• Algae can be grown using brackish-, sea-, and wastewater unsuitable for cultivating agricultural crops

• Most microalgae grow through photosynthesis by converting sunlight, CO2, and a few nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorous, into biomass

• Other algae can grow in the dark using sugar or starch

Why Algae Biofuel?

• 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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae_fuel

Comparison of Oil Yields

• Algae yield is multiple times higher than other biofuel crops

Algae Biofuel vs. Other Biofuels

• Algae biofuel production also fares better than others in greenhouse gas emissions and resources needed for fuel manufacturing, except energy

Biofuel Energy Density Comparison

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Biofuels

http://biofuel.org.uk/types-of-biofuels.html

• Algae oil energy density is comparable to currently used biofuels

Agenda

• Introduction to Biofuels

• Why Algae Biofuel?

• Production Process

• Production Costs

• Rates of Improvement

• Entrepreneurial Opportunities

• Conclusion

Algae Biofuel Production Process

Overview of Algae Production

Source: Biofuels from algae: challenges and potential, Michael Hannon et al.

Pyrolysis

Algae Oil Production Process

Source: T.J. Lundquist et al: A Realistic Technology and Engineering Assessment of Algae Biofuel Production

Algae Species• Microalgae preferred:

• Highest-yielding algae in the wild – Aquatic unicellular green algae (Chlorophyceae)

• High growth rates & population densities

• Can double its biomass in < 24 hours

• Harvesting cycle: 1-10 days

• Less complex structure

• Higher oil content

• Produces oil, protein & sugars

• Areas of improvements• Polycultures

• Genetic engineering:

• Improve traits – tolerant to harsh conditions

& enhanced growth & yield

• Biosafety issue –may facilitate survival and growth of

GE algae in unmanaged ecosystems, detrimental to

natural environment

Microalgal species Oil content(%)

Ankistrodesmus TR-87 28-40

Botryococcus braunii 29-75

Chlorella sp. 29

Chlorella protothecoides(autotrophic/ heterothrophic)

15-55

Cyclotella DI- 35 42

Dunaliella tertiolecta 36-42

Hantzschia DI-160 66

Nannochloris 31(6-63)

Nannochloropsis 46(31-68)

Nitzschia TR-114 28-50

Phaeodactylum tricornutum 31

Scenedesmus TR-84 45

Stichococcus 33(9-59)

Tetraselmis suecica 15-32

Thalassiosira pseudonana (21-31)

Crpthecodinium cohnii 20

Neochloris oleoabundans 35-54

Schiochytrium 50-77

http://www.oilgae.com/algae/oil/yield/yield.html#sthash.f2Udun8U.dpufhttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10811-010-9644-1

Algae Growth Methods

Open Pond vs PBR - Cost Comparison

OP = Open pondPBR -Photobioreactor

Source: http://www.energytrendsinsider.com/2012/05/07/current-and-projected-costs-for-biofuels-from-algae-and-pyrolysis/

Dominant Growth Method

• Open pond is likely to become dominant:• Lower capital investment

• Easy to scale up

• No cleaning required

• Yield improvement because of genetic engineering and polycultures

• Contamination risk can be reduced by genetic engineering and polycultures

ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/011/ak333e/ak333e00.pdf

Current Oil Extraction Process

http://sjvceonews.blogspot.sg/2010_10_01_archive.html

Future Oil Extraction Process

http://sjvceonews.blogspot.sg/2010_10_01_archive.html

Future Oil Extraction Process

http://sjvceonews.blogspot.sg/2010_10_01_archive.html

Biomass Processing – Cost Improvement

Source: http://www.energytrendsinsider.com/2012/05/07/current-and-projected-costs-for-biofuels-from-algae-and-pyrolysis/

Impact of Improvements on Future Algae Cost

Source: http://www.energytrendsinsider.com/2012/05/07/current-and-projected-costs-for-biofuels-from-algae-and-pyrolysis/

Agenda

• Introduction to Biofuels

• Why Algae Biofuel?

• Production Process

• Production Costs

• Rates of Improvement

• Entrepreneurial Opportunities

• Conclusion

Biofuels vs. Fossil Fuels

http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/prices.html

Biofuel Production

Source: http://antaresgroupinc.com/algae-biofuels/

Agenda

• Introduction to Biofuels

• Why Algae Biofuel?

• Production Process

• Production Costs

• Rates of Improvement

• Entrepreneurial Opportunities

• Conclusion

Summary of where Improvements Occur

• Improvement in production methods. For example:• Using flue gas

• Using waste water

• Using genetically engineered algae to increase oil yield

• Improvement in harvesting methods. For example:• Liquefaction

• Hydrogenation

• Pyrolysis

• Improvement in technology Conversion of algae to different form of fuel. For example:• Bio-ethanol; Bio-methane;

• Bio-hydrogen; Bio-butanol;

• Bio-Diesel; bio-gasoline;

• Jet fuel

Timeline for Algal Fuel

Source: Algae 2020 study, Emerging Markets Online Consulting Services

Biofuel Demand in Transport Sector by Region

Major part of this demand is expected to be fulfilled by algae biofuel since it has high potential in terms of technology and yield.

Source: https://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/Biofuels_Roadmap_WEB.pdf

ExaJoules (EJ) = 10^18 Joules

Global Energy Use in the Transport Sector in 2050

Global energy use in the transport sector (left) and use of biofuels in different transport modes (right) in 2050

Source: https://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/Biofuels_Roadmap_WEB.pdf

How Government Policy Affects Biofuel Use

Source: Battle for the Barrel, Robert F. Service

Inhibiting Factors

• Algaculture is performed mainly to produce high added value compounds used in food and cosmetics

• Biggest inhibiting factors are capital, harvesting and fuel extraction costs

• New methods of energy-efficient extraction of fuel is needed e.g. hydrolysis

Product Type Unique Product Price/Kg

Healthfood Spirulina ~S$ 12

Food for aquatic organisms Nannochloropsis ~S$ 725

Vitamin A precursor ß-carotene ~S$ 1,450

Anti-oxidant Astaaxanthin ~S$ 15,000

Fatty acids 13C labelled fatty acids ~S$ 51 M

Algal Biofuel ~S$ 9

Source: Energy-efficient extraction of fuel and chemical feedstocks from algae, Rodrigo E. TeixeiraAlgae-based Biofuels: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities for Developing Countries

Agenda

• Introduction to Biofuels

• Why Algae Biofuel?

• Production Process

• Production Costs

• Rates of Improvement

• Entrepreneurial Opportunities

• Conclusion

Commercial Uses of Algae

Cosmetics

Bioplastics

Feedstock Fertilizer/nutrients

Food

NutraceuticalsPharmaceuticals

Vitamins

Animal feed

BioethanolBiogas

Biodiesel Biobutanol

Biofuel

http://solazyme.com/innovation/

Algal Products

Building Powered by Algae• Building in Hamburg with a facade of bioreactors• Bioreactors contain algae which generate biomass and heat sustainably• System provides thermal and sound insulation• Algae biomass can be harvested and converted to biogas, or used in

pharmaceutical and food products

http://syndebio.com/biq-algae-house-splitterwerk/

SolarLeaf – bioreactor façade

Algae Architecture

http://www.lyxia.com/algal-architecture-and-automobile-design/

What Changes might enable Algae Farming in buildings?Glass Production Technology• Ultra-strong glass with thinner walls

• Increased light penetration and larger volumes

• Mechanical stability allows continuous in-line cleaning

Efficient use of Lightings• Redirect sunlight into building interior

• Use of existing LED lightings at night for continuous algae production

Genetic Modification of Algae

• Significantly higher concentration in terms of mass per litre

• Grow in the dark algae strains created through genetic modification

Policies enabling the use of empty spaces• External walls, rooftops & walls of stairwells

Cost per kilowatt hour needs to become lower• Current estimates: cost per kilowatt-hour produced by algae bioreactors would be 7

times as much as solar power and 14 times as much as crude oil

Offshore Membrane Enclosures for Growing Algae (OMEGA)

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/research/OMEGA/#.VQ1FSPmUc9Q

From ALPHA to OMEGA

http://blog.planetos.com/nasa-omega-project-the-ocean-as-a-platform-for-biofuel/

Agenda

• Introduction to Biofuels

• Why Algae Biofuel?

• Production Process

• Production Costs

• Rates of Improvement

• Entrepreneurial Opportunities

• 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

• Produces over 20 times the oil production of any food crop - an acre of algae can produce almost 5,000 gallons of biodiesel

• Production can reach 60 billion gallons/year that could replace all diesel in the U.S.

• However, current economic climate makes development of algal programs quite costly

• For algae to be truly competitive, it should receive its own share of the subsidies currently only allocated to feedstock

• A highly feasible way to continue biofuel development while remaining commercially competitive is to produce algal fuel as a co-product to more lucrative products such as animal feed and nutraceuticals product

Thank You!Any Questions?