Biodiesel from Algae:

Photosynthetic Power 3G
ARC6840 Renewable Energy
HoangAbstract
Kien TRAN. March Studies. 2010

Abstract

Almost all energy sources on Earth are derived from the

Sun. Many people believe photovoltaic is the future of
human energy. This idea is strengthened by many
science-fiction movies and books where future cities are
portrayed with spires clad in shiny photovoltaic panels.
However, from the biology point of view, photosynthesis
seems to be a more efficient process of energy
conversion. It has been evolved and optimized by nature
through millennia. Today technology allows biomass to
be converted into useful energy through different
processes such as thermal, chemical or biochemical
conversions which result in different form of energy.
Algae, with considerable advantages, is argued to be an
important source of human energy in near future.
1. Introduction
The only setback of bio-fuels is the cost of their production, but many
companies and agencies are investing in researches to lower the Table 1: Generations of Biofuels
capital and operation costs to make bio-fuel economically available. As
the oil prize is rising along with the depletion of fossil fuel, bio-fuel
generalization is the must-happen in near future. Sources Forms of Fuel

Bio-fuel can be produced from a variety of sources. First generation

bio-fuel is processed from sugar, starch, vegetable oil and animal fat. 1st High sugar yield Crop Vegetable Oil
However, as the feedstock for this generation are edible products like Generation (Sugar cane, Wheat, Bio-gasoline
wheat, corn, sugarcane, ect. , it brings issues related to human food Corn, Beet…) Bio-alcohol
crisis. Second generation bio-fuel is from non-food materials like High oil yield crop Bio-diesel
waste, stalks, wood and special crops. This generation emphasizes on (sunflower,
the conversion of cellulose to ethanol. While not using edible material, rapeseed...)
second generation bio-fuel sources cultivation still uses up arable land Animal Fat
and fresh water for irrigation, which can be use for human food
production. Algae fuel comes as the third generation of bio-fuel, has
the potential to overcome its counterparts. Algae can easily be 2nd Agriculture by- Bio-hydrogen
cultivated in waste water and salt water, has high yield of oil content Generation product BioDME
and short harvest cycle. The gap is the cost for operation and oil (Stalks, stems, Bio-methanol
extraction. Many researchers in biochemical laboratories are trying to leaves, woodchips, Butanol & isobutanol
find solution to fill this gap. Recently, at the 237th National Meeting of peel…) DMF
the American Chemical Society, a study is presented claiming that an Non-food crop Wood diesel
economical process to transform algae product into bio-diesel is (jatropha, switch
commercially possible. grass…)
The coming depletion of fossil fuel and more important, the instability
3rd Algae Bio-diesel
of climate supposed to increase as caused by greenhouse gas
Generation Organic Waste Bio-buthanol
emission from fossil fuel usage, urge the need to find reliable
Hydrogen
alternative sources of energy. While electricity companies might find
Bio-gasoline
solution in solar, wind, hydro or ocean power, fuel industry puts its
Methane
hope on bio-fuel. This paper aims to review the potential of algae as a
SVO
non-food feedstock for bio-diesel, especially the mentioned discovery
from United Environment and Energy LLC, Horseheads, N.Y. which
may allow a cheaper bio-diesel production.

Figure 1: Microalgae
Table 2:
2 Microalgae Productivity
2. Allgae andd algae fuel as
s solutio
on
fo
or clean and
a rene
ewable energy
e
2.1.. What is Algae
Algaae are a large group of aquatic simple specie es from unicelluular
to multicellular
m form
m. Like plants, a
algae are photos
synthetic; they can
c
cappture solar pow wer and carbon dioxide and convert them to
oxyygen and biomass. There are m more than 50,00
00 species existt, of
which around 30,000 have been sstudied (Mata ett al, 2010). Amo ong
the algae, the uniicellular and so ome simple mu ulticellular speciies,
called microalgae, thanks to their simple structurre can grow fas st in
harssh condition. Some
S species tthat has high oil
o content in th heir
biommass up to 75% %, but common n species with higher productivity
are more ideal for bio-fuel
b producttion.
2.2.. Algae productiivity and advanttages
Desspite the high cost
c for operatio
on, algae have e relatively high oil
prod ductivity per arrea unit, up to 3300 times to thhat of conventioonal
bio--fuel sources like soybean, ssunflower, jatro opha or rapese eed,
bassed on laborato ory experimentss (Hartman, 200 08). Being ablee to
grow w at high rate in
n conditions like
e wastewater an nd saltwater, alggae
culttivation can avo oid the impact on arable land and freshwater.
University of Virgin nia (Jan 2010) has just carrie ed out a report on
Envvironmental Scie ence & Techno ology looking intto energy cost and
a
envvironmental impa acts of algae fuel production annd compare to that
t
of corn,
c canola an nd switch grasss. The results showed
s that alg
gae
farm
m need less ferttilizer and freshw water.
Algaae can use NH H4+, NO3−, PO43 contamination in wastewaterr as
nutrrient, act as a treatment for wastewater before
b released to
envvironment. CO2 emission from using algae fuuel is equal to that
t
the algae converrted during prroduction there efore reduce the
greeenhouse gas emmission to almost zero.
Algae  can  grow
A w  easily  in  h harsh  condition n  and  can  usse 
c
contamination  in  wastewater  to  give  high  oil  productivityy. 
H
However,  while  the  cultivation  is  rather  simp
ple,  the  biodiese
el 
c
conversion is morre complicated aand cost.  

 
Figure 2: Algae Biodiesel Production Process
3. Economic Biodiesel from Algae
3.1. Current Algae Biodiesel Production Process
Among algae fuel products, the most common is bio-diesel. A
complete biodiesel production from algae includes 5 stages:
cultivation, harvesting, biomass processing, oil extraction and
biodiesel production by transesterification (Fig. 1).
Cultivation and Harvesting: In order to grow at ideal rate, algae
need to be provided adequate temperature, sunlight and nutrients.
Other elements can affect algae growth are content of O2, CO2,
pH, chemicals, appearance of other biotic factors like bacteria or
virus. Algae can be cultivated in different systems, like open ponds
or closed environment like photo-bioreactors (PBRs). Compared to
the closed reactors, open ponds has lower cost to build and higher
capability in volume and durability. However, open ponds can be
affected by changes in weather and other contaminators.
PBRs are more flexible and allow adjustments to suit the
characteristics of different algae species. According to design,
PRBs have better control of conditions and growth, prevent CO2
and water lost while restrict contamination from outside. They can
also allow higher densities and concentrations; therefore possess
higher productivity (Mata et al, 2010). However, PBRs are not yet
considered a superior technology to open ponds, due to the small
scale; high installation and operation cost; technical setback like
leakage, overheating and bio-foul. Future scenario of algae culture
is the combination of both technologies, where and which is
decided based on the conditions of the site.
Biomass Processing and Oil Extraction: biomass processing
involves the dehydration of biomass, like the application of sun-
drying, spray-drying, or drum-drying. Oil is then extracted from
biomass for biodiesel production, originally in form of lipids and
fatty acids using solvents. General solvents used are hexane,
ethanol (96%), or a hexane–ethanol (96%) mixture, which can
extract to 98% fatty acids from biomass (Hartman, 2008). New
extraction methods including the use of ultrasonic and microwave
are being studied. The experiments in these method result higher
efficiency in oil extraction and reduce the chemical required to be
added.

Biodiesel conversion: After being extracted from biomass, algae oil
is converted to alkyl esters and glycerol through the
transesterification reaction (Fig. 2) with the aid of a catalyst. Mass
ratio of output biodiesel product to input oil is about 1:1. The
normally used catalyst is NaOH or KOH. Although the appearance
of a catalyst is not always mandatory, it helps to enhance the
reaction rate to achieve higher productivity. A recently method
which has been developed by United Environment and Energy LLC
utilize solid catalysts to achieve an economic biodiesel production
process.
 
Figure 3: Transesterification Reaction
3.2. Continuously flowing fixed-bed method
Bernstein (2009) reported a development in biodiesel processing
technology, carried out by researchers from United Environment
and Energy LLC, which could be a turning point in biodiesel
production. This method, called “continuously flowing fixed-bed
method” achieved considerable reduction in processing cost, said
Ben Wen (2009), the lead researcher of the project, therefore give
biodiesel economically competence to its fossil counterpart.
Continuous method has some advantages to batch methods,
including higher capability to control growth rate, concentration and
products quality.
Generally, liquid catalysts (NaOH or KOH) are used to improve the
reaction rate. However, it is required that these catalysts are to be
neutralized to purify the final product by using mineral acid. This is
called neutralization washing step. According to Wen (2009), this
step adds extra cost of labor, material and time to the overall
production process. It even significantly contributes to the overall
cost of algae biodiesel production, and so renders this fuel less
desirable in the investors’ cost-benefit point of view. In addition, it
generates wastewater from the washing reaction. Lastly, there is
the risk that contaminant possibly remains in the product.
The main feature of Wen’s continuously flowing fixed-bed method
is the use of solid catalyst utilizing solid catalyst, which can
effectively remove the step previously mentioned. This solid
catalyst is a mixture of metal oxide developed by the research
team. Unlike liquid catalysts, solid catalyst can be used again and
again without having to be neutralized by additional chemical, thus
allow the process flows undisrupted.
Prior to Wen’s project, Lotero, et al. (2006) demonstrated the use
of solid base catalyst in triglyceride transesterification. He
concluded that heterogeneous catalysts have potential to lower
biodiesel production cost, making this fuel economically and
environmentally viable in the future. In the Bio-Oil International
Conference, Bloch M. (2006) from Axens, France also introduced
the Esterfip-H process of high quality glycerin production via
heterogeneous solid catalyst, which has high biodiesel yield, high
glycerol quality and simplified operations.
"This is the first economical way to produce biodiesel
from algae oil." Said Ben Wen, Ph.D., vice president of
United Environment and Energy LLC, Horseheads, N.Y. "It
costs much less than conventional processes because
you would need a much smaller factory, there are no
water disposal costs, and the process is considerably
faster."

4. Evaluation:
This section aims to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of
biodiesel compared to conventional diesel in near future. Looking
into the interest of investors, the economic efficiency of production
and market, and environmental benefits we can determine whether
algae fuel is a preferable alternative to conventional diesel.
4.1. Investment
Biodiesel from algae, with its advantages is a promising
alternative fuel to fossil diesel. Unfortunately, investors have
always been dissuaded from investing into this product by the
high cost of processing. As oil price keep rising, people seem
interested in biodiesel but they turn their back to it at any
moment the crude oil price fall, like happened in Jan 2009. (Fig.
3)
Nonetheless, as fossil oil reserves is limited and depleting,
crude oil prices has the trend to keep rising over time. It hits the
peak again in March 2010 at close to 84 USD per barrel (AFP
News Agency, 2010), highest since October 2008. Petroleum
diesel, which is derived from mineral oil, generally follows the
crude oil prices. Sooner or later, petroleum will surpass
biodiesel in cost, losing its commercial competence.
On the other hand, biodiesel, being a renewable and
environmentally fuel, attracts the concerns of governments and
organizations. They are providing funds for researches trying to
lower the capital and operational cost of algae fuel production.
For instance, Ben Wen’s project is funded by The National
Science Foundation, USA.
The discussed “continuously flowing fixed-bed method” is
claimed to achieve to 40% reduction in processing cost
compared to existing methods. This innovation, if being
generally applied, can fill the gap of cost-benefit efficiency in
algae biodiesel production. Naturally, this industry will attract
investors and replace petroleum diesel in the market.
4.2. Production
With high productivity, algae culture can provide a sustainable
feedstock for algae fuel industry. Large scale system will give
the best performance and reduced cost for algae cultivation,
with adequate supply of water and nutrients. Such supply can
include cheap sources of CO2 and high-nutrients waste water
from industrial activities.
Biodiesel processing plant currently has considerable capital
cost. Yet, the innovative method developed by Wen’s group
promised a reduced cost installation, without the catalyst
neutralization washing step. Besides, water disposal equipment
and operation costs are also terminated. With the design of
efficient processing plant units, algae biodiesel production can
be widely developed and satisfy the fuel demands in near
future.
Figure 4: Open pond vs Bio-Reactor Cultivation
4.3. Environmental benefits
Apart from direct economical benefits, non-direct environmental
benefits are the features that make algae fuel desirable. They
include GHG reduction, wastewater and flue gas treatment
solution, and less impact on agriculture than other terrestrial
crop (Booth, et al., 2005: 39-46).
While biodiesel performance compared to diesel is not
significantly different, it can be considered non CO2 emission
because the CO2 emitted in algae biodiesel combustion
balance that converted by the algae itself through
photosynthesis. Applying algae cultivation system as part of
  
industrial activities wastewater treatment can effectively
mitigate industrial CO2 emission, which contributes to 15% of  
total world CO2 emission.
 
4.4. Market
When the cost-effectiveness
Currently, Energy Policy Act of 2005 in USA and Renewable mathematic is solved, there is nothing
Transport Fuel Obligation in Europe demands that a proportion could prevent bio-fuel from taking
of renewable fuel must be included in all transportation fuel.
over conventional petroleum based
Applied on diesel market, it means that 5% must be biodiesel.
Global Biofuel Market Analysis (2008) from Bharat Book fuel.
Bureau, India estimated that by 2017, global biodiesel industry
will grow to 3,900 million gallon. It also stated that biofuel Compared to other sources in cost-
market will grow to 12.3%. This information anticipates a good effectiveness issues and
future market for algae fuel production, to the next few environmental impacts, algae has the
decades. potential to reign as the major source
of bio-fuel feedstock.

Attracting considerable amount of

concern and investment, algae fuel
industry is preparing to bloom in this
century.

However, much more efforts need to

be done before algae fuel could totally
get into current energy infrastructure
system. "There needs to be policy
work done to incorporate these new
concepts like algae, which is an
organism that actually consumes
large amounts of carbon in the
process of creating a liquid
transportation fuel," said Tim Zenk,
vice president of corporate affairs at
Sapphire. (2009)

 
Figure 5: Diesel and Crude Oil prize
5. Conclusion
The rising energy consumption and environmental issues, the foreseen depletion of fossil
fuel encourage the world to consider renewable alternative energy sources. Biofuel is
considered the most reasonable alternation for conventional petroleum fuel. Derived from
biomass, biofuel is renewable and contributes to the GHG reduction in global scale.

Algae have many qualities to serve as the feedstock for biofuel production, especially
biodiesel. They have higher oil yield per mass, higher productivity per area unit and rapid
growth rate than other biodiesel sources. They can be cultivated in wastewater and
saltwater, thus reduce impact on arable land and fresh water for agriculture. Through
photosynthesis, they fix carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, using contaminants in water
as nutrients.

Biodiesel from algae has a significant setback in competency to petroleum diesel, which is
the high cost in processing. If this gap will somehow be filled, algae biodiesel will be
commercially viable and able to replace diesel in the market. A particular technology,
presented by a group of researchers from United Environment and Energy LLC, is said to
be able to solve this problem. Using solid catalyst in its transesterification process, the
researchers claimed to be able to reduce at maximum 40% of processing cost. If this
technology should be applied widely, it has the potential to make biodiesel from algae the
alternative fuel for fossil diesel, contributing to global energy security and environmental
sustainability.
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