Microalgae Biofuels - California State Polytechnic ... · Biodiesel tranesterification The problem...
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EECA Biofuels Conference 2007: Coming to a pump near you EECA Biofuels Conference 2007: Coming to a pump near you Microalgae Biofuels John R. Benemann Wellington, New Zealand, April 24 th , 2007 Wellington, New Zealand, April 24 th , 2007
Transcript of Microalgae Biofuels - California State Polytechnic ... · Biodiesel tranesterification The problem...
EECA Biofuels Conference 2007: Coming to a pump near you
EECA Biofuels Conference 2007: Coming to a pump near you
Microalgae BiofuelsJohn R. Benemann
Wellington, New Zealand, April 24th, 2007 Wellington, New Zealand, April 24th, 2007
International Network on Biofixation of CO2 and Greenhouse Gas Abatement with Microalgae
International Network on Biofixation of CO2 and Greenhouse Gas Abatement with Microalgae
ONGC (India)
SRI, Stanford (USA)
CGTEE (Brasil)
Eletrobrás (Brazil)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (USA)Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (USA)
ENEL ENEL ProduzioneProduzione (Italy)(Italy)
National Energy Technology Laboratory (USA)National Energy Technology Laboratory (USA)
US Dept of Energy (USA)US Dept of Energy (USA)
Why produce biofuels?Why produce biofuels?
And …oil supply security
OutlineOutline
• Why produce microalgae biofuels?• What are microalgae biofuels?• Microalgae conversion systems• Microalgae harvesting• Microalgae production• Potential in New Zealand• Conclusions
Why produce microalgae biofuelsWhy produce microalgae biofuels
Like all biofuels:• Low / neutral carbon footprint through biofixation of CO2• Can produce valuable co-products• Economics improve as fossil fuel prices increase
The advantages of microalgae biofuels:• R&D is faster and cheaper• Modular technology that can be scaled-up relatively easily• Can be combined with wastewater treatment and nutrient
recycling• High projected productivities can reduce environmental
footprint
What are microalgae biofuelsWhat are microalgae biofuels
• Fuels derived from microalgae biomass:Hydrogen Biodiesel (transesterifcation; thermo-cracking)Bioethanol (fermentation)Biogas
• Key issues for microalgae biofuelsConvert the biomass to biofuelsHarvest the algaeGrow the algae
Hydrogen productionHydrogen production
Biodiesel tranesterificationBiodiesel tranesterification
The problem is not making algae biodiesel but producing algae biomass with a high oil content, and
doing so cheaply!
1980s Aquatic Species Program generates small batches of biodiesel
2005 200 liters produced from soybean (~90%) and Dunaliella(~10%)
2007 Aquaflow Bionomics Corporation produces 5% bio-diesel 2007 Greenfuels Technologies anounces ‘litre’ quantities of
biodiesel and ethanol from algae
Biodiesel tranesterificationBiodiesel tranesterification
Microalgae biodiesel hype Microalgae biodiesel hype
“Microalgae are up to 100 times more productive than other cultivated biofuel crops” (HR Biopetroleum)
"It is about 1,000 times more efficient to produce fuel from algae than from an irrigated crop (Solix Biofuels)
*Exceeds theoretical limit of photosynthesis
Plausible current yield is approx. 25,000 L/ha/yr
up to 246,090*Claims for Microalgae6,000Palm Oil2,000Jathropha1,600Mustard800Sunflower400Soybeans
Biodiesel yield(litres/ha-yr)
Plausible future yield is approx. 50,000 L/ha/yr
Microalgal biodiesel companiesMicroalgal biodiesel companies
• GreenFuel Technologies Corporation, MA (partners, Arizona Public Services and AlgaTech (Licensees in S. Africa, India, Australia, etc.)
• GS Clean Tech (Green Shift, & Veridium ), New York (Ohio State U.) • PetroAlgae, LLC (XL Tech Group, Inc), Florida (Arizona State U.) • Solix Biofuels, Inc, Colorado (Colorado State Univ.) • Algoil / Jean-Charles Clerc, Bangalore, India • Valcent Products, Inc, Vancouver, Canada• Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation, New Zealand• Advanced Biofuels Technologies (Kwikpower International, plc)• Infinifuel Corporation, Nevada• Algae Biofuels, Inc (PetroSun Drilling, Inc.) Arizona and Australia• Grupo Empresarial Rafael Morales (Algafuel) Spain
Most of these companies have limited technical expertise, and few have made biodiesel from algae
BioethanolBioethanol
Ethanol from algae carbohydrates (storage starch) Advantages: transportation fuel Disadvantages: need algae with high CHO content
Biogas productionBiogas productionAnaerobic digestion is a simple, cost effective and widely established technology. This technology is already used at many wastewater treatment plants to stabilise wastewater sludge and generate electricity. The disadvantages of anaerobic digestion is that some algae are less digestible than others and high nitrogen content in algal biomass may inhibit digestion.
Microalgae harvestingMicroalgae harvesting
Traditional bulldozer approach:» Chemical flocculation» Centrifugation» Filtration» Dissolved air floatation
Future approach:» Biofloculation» Micro-filtration» Activated algae
High rate ponds (paddlewheel mixed open raceway) developed in 1952 are the main system used for mass culture of microalgae.
Microalgae productionMicroalgae production
Microalgae productionMicroalgae production
Simple ponds have low productivity
Enitecnologie Outdoor Algae Cultivation This project, among others, compared open ponds with closed
photobioreactors – there is no difference in productivity
Enitecnologie Outdoor Algae Cultivation This project, among others, compared open ponds with closed
photobioreactors – there is no difference in productivity
Microalgae productionMicroalgae production
Photo bioreactors are not cost effective, and do not have higherproductivity than high rate ponds.
All microalgae cultures are carbon limited, hence CO2 addition will increase productivity
Microalgae productionMicroalgae production
Microalgae productionMicroalgae production
Microalgal biomass is a co-product of wastewater treatment in ponds, but in simple ponds productivity is low
Microalgae productionMicroalgae production
High rate ponds are already used for wastewater treatment in many countries. NIWA is applying this technology to New Zealand.
Aquatic Species ProgramAquatic Species Program
High rate ponds were used to produce algae for biodiesel in the Aquatic Species Program
Other production issues …Other production issues …
Location – Production is highly dependent on climate (sunlight & temperature) and suitable topography
Other production issues …Other production issues …
Algal strain enhancement – Isolation, selection and inoculation system can be used to enhance productivity and reliability
Other production issues …Other production issues …
Predator control is required to ensure consistent production
New Zealand potentialNew Zealand potential
Anaerobic digestion and high rate ponds are already being used to treat domestic and agricultural wastewater in New Zealand
ConclusionsConclusions
• Microalgae biofuels have several advantages over other biofuel sources.
• Of the microalgae conversion systems, biodieseltranesterifcation, but anaerobic digestion to methane is the most practical and achievable.
• Harvesting is still a significant challenge and requires furtherresearch.
• Theoretical projections of microalgae production have not been realised. Field demonstration projects are necessaryto advance understanding of this area.
• New Zealand potential largely relates to existing use of ponds for wastewater treatment and lake remediation.
