Water Energy

Environment

Food

Triangle of conflictsTriangle of conflicts

Land type Area (mio

km2)Natural 

Productivity(tons of carbon 

fixed per hectare 

and year)

Fuel and yield (tons per ha / 

GJ per ha)

% area of 

corresponding 

ecosystem 

required to 

cover 2030 

demand

Tropical and 

subtropical 

evergreen forest

10.5 10.7 Palmoil

biodiesel (5 / 189)

110%!!!

Tropical and 

Subtropical Dry 

Forest

4.7 7.67 Jatropha

biodiesel (1.5 / 56.7 )

765%!!

Tropical Savanna, 

Woodland

6.7 6.65 Cane­ethanol(4.34 / 116)

270 %!!

Mid lattitude

forests, abandoned 

croplands

14 5.30 Miscanthus

cellulosic 

ethanol*(4.4 / 120)

95 %!!

Warm 

Shrubland/grassla

nd or desert

33 1 – 3.50 Algae­biodiesel (20 / 756)

5.4 – 8.2 %

Table 1 - Comparison of land use impact of various biofuel crops to the area of suitable ecosystems available assuming full coverage of 2030 projected liquid fuel demand of 210 exajoules (1 Exajoule is 1 billion gigajoules). *50% of cellulosic biomass is deduced for process energy!

Table 1 - Comparison of land use impact of various biofuel crops to the area of suitable ecosystems available assuming full coverage of 2030 projected liquid fuel demand of 210 exajoules (1 Exajoule is 1 billion gigajoules).*50% of cellulosic biomass is deduced for process energy!

Sustainability driven System Design;

Point of Reference: Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels;

All demands satisfied!

Sustainability drivenSystem Design;

Point of Reference:Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels;

All demands satisfied!

Effluent polishing – productive opportunities

Example 1: WaterExample 1: Water

800 - 1600 m3 evaporation per ton biodiesel, 2030 demand for liquid fuels would be 5.55 billion tons5.55 bln times 1600 = 8800 billion m3

Recovery of 25% of projected water demand in the form of waste, drainage water would suffice to produce 20% of projected global fuel demand.

800 - 1600 m3 evaporation per ton biodiesel, 2030 demand for liquid fuels would be 5.55 billion tons5.55 bln times 1600 = 8800 billion m3

Recovery of 25% of projected water demand in the form of waste, drainage water would suffice to produce 20% of projected global fuel demand.

Does not include floodwater runoff from towns, roads or agriculture that require treatment!

Does not include floodwater runoff from towns, roads or agriculture that require treatment!

90% of developing World’s Water untreated!

Conventional treatment costs energy, dissipates nitrogen!

Acting now for establishing infrastructure!!

90% of developing World’s Water untreated!

Conventional treatment costs energy, dissipates nitrogen!

Acting now for establishing infrastructure!!

For 4.5% Salinity:

• 75 tons biomass (25 GJ per ton) per year, pumping of 90000 m3 required;

• 1.50 GJ of pumping energy per ton of biomass

• 6% for maintaining 4.5% salinity at 100 m elevation;

• ca 50% recoverable as hydroelectricity, ideal for storage of surplus solar or wind energy!

• Fossil electricity prohibitive due to low efficiency

For 4.5% Salinity:

• 75 tons biomass (25 GJ per ton) per year, pumping of 90000 m3 required;

• 1.50 GJ of pumping energy per ton of biomass

• 6% for maintaining 4.5% salinity at 100 m elevation;

• ca 50% recoverable as hydroelectricity, ideal for storage of surplus solar or wind energy!

• Fossil electricity prohibitive due to low efficiency

Sea Water (Or Fossil Ground Water): it’s not that simple!

Sea Water (Or Fossil Ground Water): it’s not that simple!

10

15

20

25

30

35

0 2 4 6 8 10

Time(days)

Chl

(mg/

l)

Con (2.7 % NaCl)1.3% Nacl4% Nacl

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

0 2 4 6 8 10

Time(days)D

W(m

g/m

l) Con (2.7 % NaCl)

1.3% Nacl

4% Nacl

0

2

4

6

8

0 2 4 6 8 10Time (days)

DW

(mg/

ml)

Control1.3% Nacl4% N acl

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0 2 4 6 8 10Time (days)

Chl

(m

g/l)

Control1.3% Nacl4% Nacl

Salt Tolerance of Nannochloropsis sp

Growth of Nannochloropsis under control conditions at 3 different salt concentrations determined as chlorophyll concentration (top) or dryweight (bottom)

Growth of Nannochloropsis under nitrogen stress at 3 different salt concentrations determined as chlorophyll concentration (top) or dryweight (bottom)

LandLand

ClimateClimateElevation!100 m elevation costs 3% of energy produced for pumping!

Elevation!100 m elevation costs 3% of energy produced for pumping!

PopulationPopulation

250000 km2250000 km2

250000 km2250000 km2

250000 km2250000 km2250000 km2250000 km2

250000 km2250000 km2

Below 200 mBelow 200 m

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aquatic_Dead_Zones.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aquatic_Dead_Zones.jpg

Examples 2: Nutrients Not a burden, a blessing in algal sustainability assessments!

Examples 2: Nutrients Not a burden, a blessing in algal sustainability assessments!

Pollution by agriculture - Integrated resource managementPollution by agriculture - Integrated resource management

Israel: Cattle contributes 35 % of total water pollution

FAO: Livestock farming is responsible for 18 % of global greenhouse gas emissions

Many areas around the world are suffering from the problem of eutrophication. The Gulf of Mexico, Caspian Sea, Bering Sea and Arabian Sea. The Gulf of Mexico already has a huge Dead Zone which the scientists warn could expand further .

Phytoplankton concentration along the North American CoastlineEfficient Use Of FertilizersMost fertilizers contain Phosphorus and Nitrogen on which these algae thrive hence it is that we use fertilizers that a) are biodegradable and b) contain lesser quantities of these elements. Also the farmers need to irrigate their lands in a scientific manner. Each crop requires a definite amount of water to give the best yield hence the farmers shouldn’t over-irrigate their lands since it could lead to more voluminous runoffs .

Nutrient Run-Off and Dead ZonesNutrient Run-Off and Dead Zones

Nitrogen Load MississippiNitrogen Load Mississippi

41% of Continental US water discharge!

35% of Continental US area!

41% of Continental US water discharge!

35% of Continental US area!

Modern Farming Produces Enormous Nitrogen SurplusesModern Farming Produces Enormous Nitrogen Surpluses

200 mio hectares of European farmland times 50 kg recoverable excess:

10 million tons of nitrogen per year! 200 mio hectares of European farmland times 50 kg recoverable excess:

10 million tons of nitrogen per year!

Immediately ApplicableImmediately ApplicableIntegrated Biological Systems for Exploitation of Humid Agro-Industrial Waste

Resources IBSEHAWR - FP7 Useful Waste

Integrated Biological Systems for Exploitation of Humid Agro-Industrial Waste Resources

IBSEHAWR - FP7 Useful Waste

PURPOSE:

GHG NEGATIVE

ENERGY NEUTRAL PRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS

PURPOSE:

GHG NEGATIVE

ENERGY NEUTRAL PRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS

Biogas Reactor

Gas Turbine

Constructed Wetland:Biomass for Fodder or Energy

Agro-Industrial Enterprise

Algal Pond:Biomass for Fodder or Energy

Water Flow

Nutrients

Biological resource recovery from agro-industrial waste:Several Project Ideas developed,

Four to five project ideas with implementation details! NEW CALLS REQUIRED!

CO2

Biogas

Power plant Algae

Oil extraction

Biogas plant

Fermentation residuesBiogas

Petrol station

Biodiesel plantBioethanol plant

CO2

Waste Water Treatment Plant

Urban community

O2

Algae dehydration

AlgaeResidues

Algae oil

Nutrients

Effluent

Full System Integration (Project ALTEC):The Challenge – Co-location of Resources

The Answer – Integrated Infrastructure Development

Full System Integration (Project ALTEC):The Challenge – Co-location of Resources

The Answer – Integrated Infrastructure Development

FertilizerFertilizer

Biomass or FossilBiomass or Fossil

Electricity, Process HeatElectricity, Process Heat

Cane Ethanol:Ca 80% of biomass as CO2 !

Again Brazil!

Cane Ethanol:Ca 80% of biomass as CO2 !

Again Brazil!

Integrated Exploitation of Agro-Industrial Emissions

More Favorable Economic and Environmental Balance!

17-4before

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

250 300 350 400 450 500nm

OD

ControlPond1Pond2Pond3Pond4

Total N and P

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

Effluent Pond 1 Pond 2 Pond 3

ppm

N (ppm)P (ppm)

Degradation of Recalcitrant Toxic Organics

Identification of Novel InterestingAlgal Species 95% Nitrogen Recovery as Struvite (pond 1) and biomass

(ponds 2 and 3), load reduction from 1400 ppm to ca 70 ppm

Resource Recovery from Landfill Effluent

Cultivation of Scenedesmus on Biogas Effluent

Cultivation of Scenedesmus on Biogas Effluent

Growth of Scenedesmus in mBG11 or Conditionned Biogas Effluent

00.20.40.60.8

11.21.4

0 2 4 6 8

days

dry

wei

ght (

mg/

ml mBG11

Biogas effluent

A local Scenedesmus strain displays similar maximal growth rates in mBG11 as in conditioned 1:20 diluted biogas effluent. No bacterial or other contaminations were observed in the effluent during 10 days of cultivation, resources were exhausted after 6 days (picture right).

A local Scenedesmus strain displays similar maximal growth rates in mBG11 as in conditioned 1:20 diluted biogas effluent. No bacterial or other contaminations were observed in the effluent during 10 days of cultivation, resources were exhausted after 6 days (picture right).

Recover 10 from waste 5 for

reuse = Recover 10

+5=15 available, 7.5 for reuse

Recover 10 +7.5 = 17.5 availabe 8.75 for reuse Recover 10 +

8.75 = 18.75, 9.4 for reuse

Recover 1010, Recover 818, recover 9

19, recover 9.519.510

11 +812+ 9.5

13+10.7514+ 1215+ 1316+14

N- and other nutrient pool tripled in 30

years

Recover 10 from waste 5 for

reuse= Recover 10

+5=15 available, 7.5 for reuse

Recover 10 +7.5 = 17.5 availabe 8.75 for reuseRecover 10 +

8.75 = 18.75, 9.4 for reuse

Recover 1010, Recover 818, recover 9

19, recover 9.519.510

11 +812+ 9.5

13+10.7514+ 1215+ 1316+14

N- and other nutrient pool tripled in 30

years

Implications on LCA A Scientists View

Implications on LCA A Scientists View

Major Reassessments Required for Integrated Production Systems:Abiotic Depletion (water, nutrients, fossil fuels) can be negative in algae if nutrients and water are recovered from waste materials etc!

Eutrophication: can be negative if wastewater is treated and effluent is adequately polished!

GWP: can be reduced if methane and N2O emissions from organic waste and sludge are reduced!

Land (and other impacts): may be reduced if protein production is incorporated (integrated fuel-food LCA)!

Land is not land: must be corrected for land value, land scarcity, productivity and biodiversity potentials, economic and environmental value!

Major Reassessments Required for Integrated Production Systems:Abiotic Depletion (water, nutrients, fossil fuels) can be negative in algae if nutrients and water are recovered from waste materials etc!

Eutrophication: can be negative if wastewater is treated and effluent is adequately polished!

GWP: can be reduced if methane and N2O emissions from organic waste and sludge are reduced!

Land (and other impacts): may be reduced if protein production is incorporated (integrated fuel-food LCA)!

Land is not land: must be corrected for land value, land scarcity, productivity and biodiversity potentials, economic and environmental value!

Waste Water in – Treated Water out!!Waste Water in – Treated Water out!!

Algal Biodiesel Algal Biodiesel

Algal Biodiesel Algal Biodiesel

Water FootprintWater Footprint

Eutrophication - EcotoxicityEutrophication - Ecotoxicity

Numbers areArbitrary!Numbers areArbitrary!

Nitrogen Recovered - Exported as fertilizerNitrogen Recovered - Exported as fertilizer

Algal Biodiesel Algal Biodiesel

Methane and N2 O Emissions Avoided– Negative GHG EmissionsMethane and N2 O Emissions Avoided– Negative GHG Emissions

Algal Biodiesel Algal Biodiesel

Indirect Land-Use:Protein as By Product, 1 ha replaces up to 10 ha of Soy beans!

Indirect Land-Use:Protein as By Product, 1 ha replaces up to 10 ha of Soy beans!

Algal Biodiesel Algal Biodiesel

Waste Water in – Treated Water out!!Waste Water in – Treated Water out!!

Algal Biodiesel Algal Biodiesel

April 2003 HartbeespoortHartbeespoort Dam

Chlorophyll-a distribution

Exploitation of Algal Blooms

Tilapia Pond

Lake

Gasification Plant

Electricity: 4 MWHeat: 6 MW

Green Algae PondsCO2

Nutrient Rich Lake Water

Fish

Algae Suspension

Nutrient Depleted Water

Biochar –Soil Enrichment – Carbon Sequestration

Harvest and Dry Algae Mat and Water- Hyacinth 15000 tons/year

Integrated Remediation ApproachIntegrated Remediation Approach

Waste Water + CO2 from Aqaba Power Plant

Red Sea-Dead Sea Channel

Algal Cultivation for Waste water treatment – Energy

Integrated Carbon Capture – Waste Water Treatment – Algal Biomass Arawa:Resource Mapping

• 1 Mio Inhabitants• 200000 Cattle and Livestock• Intensive Agriculture-Drainage Water• About 30000 t N / 3000 t P per year• 1 mio tons Algae at 3% N• Water required 450 mio cubes, 15

cubes/sec• 300000 tons oil – 10% of annual

consumption• Land required: 150 km2

Red sea-Deadsea 2 billion m3 per year pumped, half used for algae, 2/3 recovered (loss 450 mio cubes) (or supplemented by waste and drainage waters):

Red sea-Deadsea 2 billion m3 per year pumped, half used for algae, 2/3 recovered (loss 450 mio cubes) (or supplemented by waste and drainage waters):

Cost6 blnReturns?

Cost6 blnReturns?

Not a Task for 3-Men Startups

A Question of National Infrastructure

(with corresponding economic rules!)

Not a Task for 3-Men Startups

A Question of National Infrastructure

(with corresponding economic rules!)

All That’s Required: VISIONAll That’s Required: VISION

Cost $ 20 bln, return maybe in 50 years,But significant socioeconomic and

environmental impact

Cost $ 20 bln, return maybe in 50 years,But significant socioeconomic and

environmental impact