The Suitability of Algae Protein Residue as an Effective Biofuel

By Alexis Barragan

Non-Renewable Energy

Non-renewable resource is any natural resource that cannot be naturally replenish-ed in a human time scale.•Fossil Fuels

• Coal• Oil• Natural Gas

•Radioactive• Uranium

Renewable Energy

A renewable resource is a natural resource that can be be replenished naturally at the same rate as human consumption so to not be completely depleted.•Biomass

• Soil• Forests• Plants

•Other• Solar• Geothermal• Hydro

Pyrolysis

Pyrolysis is the thermochemical decomposition of a organic substance at high temperatures without oxygen.

Products of pyrolysis include:•Main Products• Bio-oil• Charcoal

•Intermediate products• Syngas

•By-products• Electricity• Thermal energy

The Advantages of Algae• Habitats: algae can grow on arable, non-arable land,

saltwater, freshwater, waste water.• Sanitation: grows better in waste water and cleans the water

as well.• Photosynthesis: When given CO2 the algae grows better and

produces more oxygen.• Oil production: produces 15 times more oil than other plants

like corn, rapeseed, or switchgrass.

Algal Biodiesel ProcessBoth the oil press and the hexane solvent method produce leftover protein residue.

Question & Hypothesis

• Question• Can the protein residue found after lipid extraction be

used as a fuel source?

• Hypothesis• Algae will be found to be a viable source of fuel when

compared to other currently used fuel sources.

Can this “waste” product be used as an energy source?

Samples• 2 Samples:• Algae with lipids extracted• Algae with lipids still intact

TGA• Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) is used to determine the

amounts of bio-oils and boigas that are released at different temperatures. Can also be used to determine a target temperature in an industrial system.

TGA graph of algae with lipids.

TGA graph of algae without lipids 

Bomb Calorimeter• Heat of combustion of a particular reaction.

Test 1Time (mins and

secs)Temperature (°C)

0:00 25.250:30 25.241:00 25.221:30 25.212:00 25.22:30 25.23:00 25.23:30 25.24:00 25.254:30 25.285:00 25.35:30 25.36:00 25.36:30 25.37:00 25.37:30 25.318:00 25.318:30 25.39:00 25.299:30 25.29

10:00 25.28

Test 2Time (mins and secs) Temperature (°C)

0:00 24.9

0:30 25.05

1:00 25.05

1:30 25.05

2:00 25.04

2:30 25.03

3:00 25.03

3:30 25.03

4:00 25.04

4:30 25.07

5:00 25.08

5:30 25.09

6:00 25.1

6:30 25.1

7:00 25.1

7:30 25.1

8:00 25.1

8:30 25.09

9:00 25.09

9:30 25.08

10:00 25.07

Calorimeter data of algae with lipids. Calorimeter data of algae without lipids.

• Lowest temperature of algae with lipids: 25.20°C (T0)• Highest temperature of algae with lipids: 25.31°C (T1)• T1 – T0 = 0.11°C

• Lowest temperature of algae without lipids: 25.03°C (T0)• Highest temperature of algae without lipids: 25.10°C (T1)• T1 – T0 = .07°C

Essential in calculations.

Calculations

Awl= Algae with lipids•ΔU = Ccalorimeter X ΔT

was the initial formula•ΔU = -10.7kJ/°C X 0.11°C•ΔU = -1.177kJ for the algae with lipids sample •ΔU = -1.177kJ = ΔUAwl X (MassAwl) + ΔUFe X (MassFe)

•ΔU = -1.177kJ = ΔUAwl X (0.0761g) - .00688kg

•…•-15.376kJ/g = ΔUAwl

Calculations cont.

Awol= Algae without lipids•ΔU = -10.7kJ/°C X 0.07°C•ΔU = -0.749kJ for the algae with lipids sample •ΔU = -0.749kJ = ΔUAwol X (MassAwol) + ΔUFe X (MassFe)

•ΔU = -1.177kJ = ΔUAwol X (0.0761g) - .00688kg

•…•-10.22kJ/g = ΔUAwol

• Algae with lipids: -15.376kJ/g

• Algae without lipids: -10.22kJ/g

Approximately 5 kJ/g difference.

These values can be used to compare to other data from other sources of fuel.

Statistically Compare• Common Feedstocks:• Bamboo

• Switchgrass

• Bagasse

• Corn Husks

• Organic Waste

Conclusion

Initial data seems to support my hypothesis, although additional data will be required for a more conclusive

answer

•Future Investigations• Compare Algae data to more fuels•Other?

Significance

Algae biofuel firms:•GreenFuel Technologies: $92 million on fuel plant•Solazyme: makes deals with Chevron and Imperium Renewables•Blue Marble Energy: finds and cleans algae infested polluted water and turns the algae into biofuels•Inventure Chemical: algae-to-jet-fuel•Live Fuels: open-pond algae bioreactors•Solix Biofuels: biocrude closed-tank bioreactor •Aurora Biofuels: uses genetics to isolate specific algae strains to efficiently create biofuels•Aquaflow Bonimics: economically produces biofuel from wild algae•Petro Sun: 1,100 acres of ponds to produce 4.4 million gallons of algae oil.

Acknowledgements• Dr. Kevin Whitty, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Utah• Alonzo Martinez, Chemistry Department, University of Utah• Professors• Ashley Budd, Mentor• Academy for Math, Engineering, & Science

Thank You!