Micro Algae Production: A Renewable, Sustainable Alternative to

Produce Fuels and Fertilizers

Ganti S. Murthy

Biological and Ecological Engineering Department

Oregon State University

16th, Jan, 2008

Need for Sustainable Biobased Economy

Three important considerations

• Energy resources and their contribution

• Population growth and economy

• Global climate change

World Energy Scenario

Usability is determined by the following characteristics of energy sources.

•High energy density

•Long shelf life

•Safety

•Quality

Energy sources

•Non Renewable: Petroleum, coal, nuclear

•Renewable: Solar, wind, hydro and biomass

Are all forms of energy the same?

kWhr from coal ≠ kWhr from gasoline ≠ kWhr from electricity

World Energy Scenario

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:World_energy_usage_width_chart.svg

Data: Renewables in global energy supply. IEA Report, 2007.

Energy Consumption and Economy

Source: Frank van Mierlo , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Energy_consumption_versus_GDP.png

Energy is the real currency of economies.

Emerging Economies

Newly industrialized countries

Emerging economies

Other developing countriesSource: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:World_population.PNG

Arable Land in the World

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Arable_land_percent_world.png

Data: CIA Factobook

Renewables: Just Fuels?

• Nitrogenous fertilizers

• Production of polymers (polylactic acid and zein)

• Fuels and chemicals from cattle manure

• Alternate uses for lignin: production of value added products, use for heating

• Nutraceuticals

Solar Energy

Biodiesel

Carbon Dioxide

ProcessingAlgae

Sustainable Technologies Laboratory

Power Plants

Transportation

Oil extraction

HydroclonesSieves/Filters

Municipal/Farm Waste Water Photobioreacto

r

Algae Recovery

Direct combustion

Algae oil

Algae cake

Heat/Electricity

Clean WaterOpen Ponds

Integrated Algae Production Technology

Biodiesel Production: Comparison

Crop Biodiesel Potential (gal/acre)

Soybeans 48

Canola 127

Oil Palm 635

Algae819 (Actual)

5000 (Theoretical)

Algae Advantages

Higher productivities as compared to conventional crops (~30 times more yield than soybean per acre/yr)

Lower water consumption for growth (99% less water)

Waste water and flue gases can be used to grow algae

Some strains of algae selectively adsorb heavy metal ions

Algae grow in diverse environmental conditions

Algae Challenges

Theoretical maximum yields have not been achieved in commercial facilities

Open ponds susceptible to contamination, lower productivities

Closed photobioreactors are relatively expensive

Algae harvesting and oil recovery needs innovative solutions

Nucleic acids in some algae reduces productivity of animals

Algae Biomass: Flue Gas Utilization

Oil extraction

Hydroclones Sieves/Filters

Hydrolysis and fermentation

Water, Nutrients and Carbon Dioxide

Photobioreactor

Algae Recovery

Direct combustion

Ethanol

Algae oil

Algae cake

Heat/Electricity

Water Recycle

Light

Assumptions

Light source power consumption (W/ foot) 0.8

Cost for a 200W panel ($) 950

Peak power from panel (W) 200

Eficiency of panel (% peak power) 50

Area of a 200W panel (sq. m) 1.414

Days of operation (per year) 365

Algae produced (% w/v) 0.03/0.06

Oil content of Algae (% w/w) 0.3

oil (30% at 0.729 density) 0.219

Revenue ($/gal) 2

Algae Production in a Solar Powered Photobioreactor: Economic Analysis

Area Ratio (panel area/PBR area)

power consumption per foot

0.96 1.2 2.4 3.6

Area Ratio (panel area/PBR area) 2.33 2.91 5.81 8.72

Payback period (years) 0.06 %w/v 3.61 4.51 9.02 13.53

Payback period (years) 0.03 %w/v 7.21 9.02 18.04 27.06

Algae Production in a Solar Powered Photobioreactor: Economic Analysis

Algae Production Technology Project

Objectives:

Experimental validation of the concepts using prototype photobioreactor systems

Determine efficiencies of algae recovery and processing technologies

Complete economic analysis of the technology alternatives

Preparation of a business plan for algae production technology alternatives

Thank you

Sustainable Technologies Laboratory

Ganti S. Murthy

Biological and Ecological Engineering Department

Oregon State University

murthy@engr.orst.edu

541-737-6291