Algae fuel : Next Generation Biofuel

Biodiesel is usually made by combining methanol and lye with vegetable oil, animal fat, or recycled cooking grease.
It can be blended with ordinary diesel to reduce vehicle emissions or used in its pure form. And it can even be
transformed into a kerosene-like jet fuel. Unfortunately, the world doesn't currently have enough vegetable oil or old
grease to make sizable quantities of biodiesel. Even if the United States were to devote its entire annual crop of
soybeans to producing biodiesel, it would barely make a dent. But no nation would ever do that, because food
production is still the No. 1 use for soybean oil. Algae, on the other hand, need not present such a conflict.

Algae fuel might be an alternative to fossil fuel and uses algae as its source of natural deposits. Several companies
and government agencies are funding efforts to reduce capital and operating costs and make algae fuel production
commercially viable. Harvested algae, like fossil fuel, release CO2 when burnt but unlike fossil fuel the CO2 is taken
out of the atmosphere by the growing algae.

Algae are tiny biological factories that use photosynthesis to transform carbon dioxide and sunlight into energy so
efficiently that they can double their weight several times a day.

As part of the photosynthesis process algae produce oil and can generate 15 times more oil per acre than other plants
used for biofuels, such as corn and switch grass. Algae can grow in salt water, freshwater or even contaminated
water, at sea or in ponds, and on land not suitable for food production.

On top of those advantages, algae at least in theory should grow even better when fed extra carbon dioxide
(the main greenhouse gas) and organic material like sewage. If so, algae could produce biofuel while cleaning up
other problems.

Algae cultivation
Algae can produce up to 300 times more oil per acre than conventional crops, such as rapeseed, palms, soybeans,
or jatropha. As algae have a harvesting cycle of 110 days, it permits several harvests in a very short time frame, a
differing strategy to yearly crops (Chisti 2007). Algae can also be grown on land that is not suitable for other
established crops, for instance, arid land, land with excessively saline soil, and drought-stricken land. This
minimizes the issue of taking away pieces of land from the cultivation of food crops
(Schenk et al. 2008). Algae can grow 20 to 30 times faster than food crops.

Oil Production from Algae in Four Steps

Pick a Strain
Algae naturally produce oil as a way to store chemical energy. Companies begin by selecting
from more than 60,000 strains and then growing the algae. Some strains are more productive or efficient; others thrive better in
different regions or climates. Another option is to splice and breed new varieties.
Grow the Algae
Small amounts of algae are then put into a tank with water and nutrients similar to those in
household fertilizer. Typically the algae are now exposed to sunlight, whereupon it rapidly
reproduces and undergoes photosynthesis, converting carbon dioxide into sugar. The cell then
metabolizes the sugar into lipids, or oil. The cell's cavity fills with as much as 60 percent of its
weight in oil.

Extract the Oil

Some companies press the algae like olives, physically squeezing the oil out. Others apply compressed
carbon dioxide, which vaporizes the lipids until the pressure is lowered and the oil re-condenses away
from the remaining cell. Other methods include solvents that remove the lipids, or sonic waves that
burst the algae and cause the oil to spill out. The remaining parts of the algae cells can be used in other
products, including animal feed.

Refine
A catalyst removes oxygen from the oil and replaces it with hydrogen molecules, making
diesel fuel. Though more expensive, by altering the length of carbon chains, refiners can also
convert the algae oil into gasoline and jet fuel.

Biofuels of the first generation are those produced from food as raw materials, whereas the second generation biofuels are those
produced from inedible woody biomass such as grasses, waste woods and some kinds of algae. Generation-1 biofuels were
strongly criticized that they caused a significant increase of food prices. Consequently, research and development races for
Generation-2 biofuels are more and more accelerated.

Biofuel: Advantages

The use of algae for biofuels has received attention recently as a promising source of biofuel oils, in contrast with
the high prices of traditional sources. It has been shown to require 1/100th of the water per acre compared to other
crops, and the carbohydrate and protein elements can be used for other purposes including feed and fertilizer. It is
low maintenance and its ability to ingest carbon dioxide and excrete oxygen is attractive because it reduces carbon
emissions.
Drawbacks

A new study suggests that while algae might produce good fuel, the environmental costs involved in the production
would be heavy. A life-cycle assessment published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology argues
that algae production consumes more water and energy than other biofuel sources like corn, canola, and switch
grass, and also has higher greenhouse gas emissions.

While the studys results are sobering, theyre also being met with harsh criticism from algae-based biofuel
companies and their trade group, the Algal Biomass Association.

Possibilities in Bangladesh and other south Asian countries

Here in Bangladesh, power sector is dying for energy sources. Using sugarcane and other crops we could not
possibly produce the ultimate production of required energy that we need. However, second generation of biofuel
makes it easier for us to consider the substitute energy factor of fossil fuel.

Recently, Algae.Tec closed a deal with Holcim Lanka Limited to build its first algae biofuels production facility in
Asia that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions from cement manufacturing.

World Health Energy Holdings, Inc. (WHEN) has announced the signing of Letter of Intent (LOI) with Prime Inc.,
an India Industrial and transport Company, to develop a biodiesel production facility ramping up to 250 acres with a
budget of up to $ 100 million.

The proposed sites for development are in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in India. The project will employ an Algae
Enhancement Technology, known as the GB3000 system, for growing algae for the production of fish feed, proteins
and biofuel in India. Prime Inc. Indias current clients include Exxon, Shell, General Electric (GE) and Siemens.

Conclusion:
Most people consider algae a nuisance. But it turns out that one man's pond scum is another man's gold, to draw
on an old expression. An algal species with the right properties could be immensely valuable. Like ours, many third
world developing countries are suffering for energy crisis, especially in recent decades, when the whole world is
searching for alternative source of energy. Algae fuel can be a solution? Can be, but we have to wait and see what is
coming from the researchers in the next few years.