PRODUCTION OF PRODUCTION OF

BIODIESEL FROM ALGAEBIODIESEL FROM ALGAE

-Soumya -Soumya kitturkittur

ContentsContents

• What is biodiesel?What is biodiesel?• CharacteristicsCharacteristics• Production of algae oilProduction of algae oil• Production of biodiesel from algaeProduction of biodiesel from algae• PhotobioreactorPhotobioreactor• Large scale productionLarge scale production• Copmanies Producing biodieselCopmanies Producing biodiesel• DevelopmentsDevelopments• ResearchesResearches• Advantages and disadvantagesAdvantages and disadvantages• ApplicationsApplications• ReferencesReferences

What is Biodiesel ?What is Biodiesel ?Biodiesel is a nontoxic and

biodegradable alternative fuel that is obtained from renewable sources.

Biodiesel is biodegradable, less CO2 and NOx emissions.

Biodiesel productionBiodiesel production is is the act of producing the the act of producing the biofuelbiofuel, , biodieselbiodiesel, through , through either either transesterificationtransesterification or or alcoholysisalcoholysis of oils. of oils.

Characteristics of Algal Characteristics of Algal BiodieselBiodieselNo sulfur content.No sulfur content.It has superior lubricating properties.It has superior lubricating properties.Cloud point about   32 0F Cloud point about   32 0F Flash point 266 0F.Flash point 266 0F.BiodieselBiodiesel reduces particulate matter by reduces particulate matter by

about 47 percent as compared to about 47 percent as compared to petroleum diesel. petroleum diesel.

Biodiesel has less dangerous particulate Biodiesel has less dangerous particulate matter matter

Algae biodiesel has more aggressive Algae biodiesel has more aggressive solvent properties than petro diesel. solvent properties than petro diesel.

PropertiesProperties BiodieselBiodiesel     

from from Microalgal OilMicroalgal Oil

Diesel   Diesel   FuelFuel

Density Kg l-1 Density Kg l-1 0.864 0.864 0.838 0.838

Viscosity Pa s Viscosity Pa s 5.2×10-4 (40 ºC) 5.2×10-4 (40 ºC) 1.9 - 4.1 1.9 - 4.1 ×10-4 (40 ×10-4 (40 ºC) ºC)

Flash point ºC Flash point ºC 65-115 65-115 75 75

Solidifying point ºC Solidifying point ºC -12 -12 -50 - 10 -50 - 10

Cold filter plugging Cold filter plugging point ºC point ºC

-11 -11 -3-3

Acid value mg KOH Acid value mg KOH g-1 g-1

0.374 0.374 0.50.5

Heating value MJ kg-Heating value MJ kg-1 1

4141 40-4540-45

HC ratio HC ratio 1.181.18 1.181.18

Production of Algae oilProduction of Algae oil

Steps involved in the Steps involved in the production of Algae production of Algae oil:oil:

• Selection of algae and Selection of algae and sitesite

• CultivationCultivation

• HarvestingHarvesting

• Biomass ProcessingBiomass Processing

• Oil extractionOil extraction

Selection of Algae and SiteSelection of Algae and Site

• Some of the species Some of the species which are being used which are being used in the production of in the production of Biodiesel are given in Biodiesel are given in the table.the table.

• Production sites can be Production sites can be selected according to selected according to the production scale the production scale and other factors.and other factors.

Species Yield (in g/m2/day)

Marine Nannochloropsis

20 (~ 30% lipids)

Spirulina plantesis 10.3

Dunaliella salina 12.0

Scenedesmus species

13.4

Ankistrodesmus 18

Haematococcus   pluvialis

3.8

CultivationCultivation

Algae can be Cultivated in: Algae can be Cultivated in:

Open pondsOpen ponds

Closed pondsClosed ponds

PhotobioreactorsPhotobioreactors

HarvestingHarvestingSeparating algae from its medium is known Separating algae from its medium is known

as harvesting. Harvesting methods depends as harvesting. Harvesting methods depends primarily on the type of algae. primarily on the type of algae.

Macroalgae harvesting employs manpower Macroalgae harvesting employs manpower whereas.whereas.

microalgae can be harvested using microalgae can be harvested using microscreens, centrifugation, flocculation or microscreens, centrifugation, flocculation or by froth flotation.by froth flotation.

The processes used for harvesting must be The processes used for harvesting must be energy-efficient and relatively inexpensive energy-efficient and relatively inexpensive so selecting easy-to harvest strains is so selecting easy-to harvest strains is important. important.

Extraction of algal oilExtraction of algal oil

Two methods:Two methods:

Mechanical methodMechanical method

Chemical methodChemical method

Extraction of Algal Oil by Extraction of Algal Oil by Mechanical MethodsMechanical Methods

Mechanical methods includes:Mechanical methods includes: -Expression/Expeller press -Expression/Expeller press -Ultrasonic-assisted extraction-Ultrasonic-assisted extraction

In case of Expression press method algae is dried In case of Expression press method algae is dried it retains its oil content, which then can be it retains its oil content, which then can be "pressed" out with an oil press. "pressed" out with an oil press.

Using an ultrasonic reactor, ultrasonic waves are Using an ultrasonic reactor, ultrasonic waves are used to create cavitation bubbles in a solvent used to create cavitation bubbles in a solvent material, when these bubbles collapse near the material, when these bubbles collapse near the cell walls, it creates shock waves and liquid jets cell walls, it creates shock waves and liquid jets that causes those cells walls to break and release that causes those cells walls to break and release their contents into the solvent. their contents into the solvent.

Extraction of Algal Oil by Extraction of Algal Oil by Chemical MethodsChemical MethodsThree types:Three types: Hexane Solvent Method Hexane Solvent Method Soxhlet extraction Soxhlet extraction Supercritical fluid Extraction Supercritical fluid Extraction Hexane is used for extraction in case of hexane Hexane is used for extraction in case of hexane

solvent Method. It can be used along with oil press solvent Method. It can be used along with oil press method to get more efficiency.method to get more efficiency.

soxhlet extraction is an extraction method that uses soxhlet extraction is an extraction method that uses chemical solvents. Oils from the algae are extracted chemical solvents. Oils from the algae are extracted through repeated washing, or percolation, with an through repeated washing, or percolation, with an organic solvent such as hexane or petroleum ether, organic solvent such as hexane or petroleum ether, under reflux in a special glassware.under reflux in a special glassware.

In supercritical fluid/CO2 extraction, CO2 is liquefied In supercritical fluid/CO2 extraction, CO2 is liquefied under pressure and heated to the point that it has under pressure and heated to the point that it has the properties of both a liquid and a gas, this the properties of both a liquid and a gas, this liquified fluid then acts as the solvent in extracting liquified fluid then acts as the solvent in extracting the oil the oil

Production of Biodiesel from algae Production of Biodiesel from algae oiloil Algae oil is highly viscous.So to reduce viscosity Algae oil is highly viscous.So to reduce viscosity

transestrification, pyrolysis, micro Emulsion, transestrification, pyrolysis, micro Emulsion, blending and thermal depolymerization methods blending and thermal depolymerization methods can be used.can be used.

Transestrification: Transesterification of algal oil Transestrification: Transesterification of algal oil is normally done with Ethanol and sodium is normally done with Ethanol and sodium ethanolate serving as the catalyst. ethanolate serving as the catalyst.

End products are biodiesel, sodium ethanolate End products are biodiesel, sodium ethanolate and glycerol.and glycerol.

This end-mixture is separated as follows: Ether This end-mixture is separated as follows: Ether and salt water are added to the mixture and and salt water are added to the mixture and mixed well. After sometime, the entire mixture mixed well. After sometime, the entire mixture would have separated into two layers, with the would have separated into two layers, with the upper layer containing a mixture of ether and upper layer containing a mixture of ether and biodiesel. This layer is separated.biodiesel. This layer is separated.

Biodiesel is in turn separated from ether by a Biodiesel is in turn separated from ether by a vaporizer under a high vacuum. As the ether vaporizer under a high vacuum. As the ether vaporizes first, the Biodiesel will remain. vaporizes first, the Biodiesel will remain.

Working of a Working of a PhotobioreactorPhotobioreactor

Advantages of PBR:Advantages of PBR:

High Biomass Productivity and cell density.High Biomass Productivity and cell density.

Less contamination, water use, & CO2 losses. Less contamination, water use, & CO2 losses.

Better light utilization & mixing.Better light utilization & mixing.

Controlled culture conditions.Controlled culture conditions.

Disadvantages of PBR:Disadvantages of PBR:

High capital cost associated with construction High capital cost associated with construction costs, circulation pumps, and nutrient-loading costs, circulation pumps, and nutrient-loading systems.systems.

Absence of evaporative cooling, which can lead to Absence of evaporative cooling, which can lead to

very high temperatures very high temperatures

Accumulation of high concentration of Accumulation of high concentration of photosynthetically generated O2 leading to photosynthetically generated O2 leading to photooxidative damage photooxidative damage

Biofouling of interior surfaces and difficulty of Biofouling of interior surfaces and difficulty of cleaning them cleaning them

Cell damage by shear stressCell damage by shear stress Deterioration of materialsDeterioration of materials

Large scale ProductionLarge scale Production• Theoretically, Theoretically, BiodieselBiodiesel produced from algae appears to be the produced from algae appears to be the

only feasible solution today for replacing petro-diesel completely.only feasible solution today for replacing petro-diesel completely. • In practice however, biodiesel has not yet been produced on a In practice however, biodiesel has not yet been produced on a

wide scale from algae, though large scale algae wide scale from algae, though large scale algae cultivationcultivation and and biodiesel production appear likely in the near future (4-5 years). biodiesel production appear likely in the near future (4-5 years).

In order to produce biodiesel from In order to produce biodiesel from algaealgae on a large-scale, the on a large-scale, the following conditions need to be met, logically speaking: following conditions need to be met, logically speaking:

• Ability to sustainably produce high-oil-yielding algaeAbility to sustainably produce high-oil-yielding algae

strain on a large-scale strain on a large-scale • Ability to extract the oil from the algae on a large Ability to extract the oil from the algae on a large

scale scale • Capability for large-scale conversion of algal oil into Capability for large-scale conversion of algal oil into

biodieselbiodiesel

Some of the Companies which are Some of the Companies which are trying to trying to

produce Biodiesel:produce Biodiesel:

OriginOilOriginOilPetroSunPetroSunPetroAlgaePetroAlgaeSolixBiofuelSolixBiofuel

DevelopmentsDevelopments OriginOil’s recent breakthrough can extract up to OriginOil’s recent breakthrough can extract up to

97% of the oil from algae cells. “This level of 97% of the oil from algae cells. “This level of efficiency is astonishing for a process that requires efficiency is astonishing for a process that requires less than a tenth of the energy of conventional less than a tenth of the energy of conventional processes, and without needing chemicals,” processes, and without needing chemicals,”

--Riggs Eckelberry, OriginOil’s CEO. Riggs Eckelberry, OriginOil’s CEO.

AlgaeLink,have developed a new way to extract oil AlgaeLink,have developed a new way to extract oil out of wet algae paste. out of wet algae paste.

Valcent ProductsValcent Products - Has developed a high density - Has developed a high density vertical bio-reactor for the mass production of oil vertical bio-reactor for the mass production of oil bearing algae while removing large quantities of bearing algae while removing large quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmospherecarbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere

Research on Biodiesel from Research on Biodiesel from AlgaeAlgaeEnhancing lipid production rates by Enhancing lipid production rates by

increasing the activity of enzymes via increasing the activity of enzymes via genetic engineeringgenetic engineering

Through nitrogen & phosphorus deprivationThrough nitrogen & phosphorus deprivation

Si Depletion - research into diatom lipid Si Depletion - research into diatom lipid accumulation by silicon depletionaccumulation by silicon depletion

Advantages of Biodiesel From Advantages of Biodiesel From AlgaeAlgae High YieldHigh Yield According to some estimates, the yield (per According to some estimates, the yield (per

Acre      say) of oil from Acre      say) of oil from algaealgae is      over 200 times is      over 200 times the yield      from the best-performing the yield      from the best-performing plant/vegetable oils. plant/vegetable oils.

AlgaeAlgae      can grow practically in every place       can grow practically in every place where there is enough sunshinewhere there is enough sunshine

The biodiesel      production from algae also has The biodiesel      production from algae also has the beneficial by-product of reducing      carbon the beneficial by-product of reducing      carbon and NOx Emissions from power plants, if the algae and NOx Emissions from power plants, if the algae are grown using exhausts from the power plants. are grown using exhausts from the power plants.

Algae produces lot of polyunsaturated oils, so it Algae produces lot of polyunsaturated oils, so it can work good in the cold weather also.can work good in the cold weather also.

DisavantagesDisavantages

Aglal oil is highly viscous.Aglal oil is highly viscous.

Stability problemStability problem

Technical problems for large scale Technical problems for large scale productionproduction

ApplicationsApplications

• Biodiesel can be blended with Biodiesel can be blended with petroleum diesel.petroleum diesel.

• Vehicular useVehicular use

• Railway usageRailway usage

• Aircraft useAircraft use

• As a heating oilAs a heating oil

References:References:

www.wikipedia.comwww.wikipedia.com

www.olgae.comwww.olgae.com

www.science.howstuffwork.comwww.science.howstuffwork.com

www.originoil.comwww.originoil.com

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