The document discusses microalgae as a potential source for biofuels. It notes that microalgae can produce significant amounts of oil and have far greater oil production potential than other feedstocks. However, microalgae oil production is currently in the early stages of research and faces challenges related to processing costs and cultivation methods. The document outlines factors that influence microalgae oil production, such as species, temperature, nutrients, and light, noting that small changes can dramatically impact oil yields. It advocates for more research on optimization to determine the best conditions.

1. Derek Seymour

2. Table of Contents
 Current Need for New Fuel Sources
 Why Microalgae?
 Current Status of Microalgae Oil Production
 Understanding of Microalgae Oil Production
 Other Research and Design Issues
 What is the Path Forward?

3. Current Need for New Fuel Sources
 The U.S. has consumed over 80% of its proven oil reserves.
 The U.S. now imports over 60% of its oil, and will import
over 80% of its oil within 20 years.
 Total proven oil reserves worldwide is equivalent of 40
years of consumable oil.

4. CO2 and Global Climate
Change
 Fossil fuel combustion accounts for approx. 80% of global
warming potential weighted CO2 in the U.S. since 1990.
 Power plants emit 40% of the CO2 from fossil fuel
combustion in the U.S.
 Transportation activities account for 35% of CO2 emissions
from fossil fuel combustion.

5. Feedstock for Biofuels
 Currently available feedstocks for biofuels:
Corn Soybean Sunflower Canola
Rapeseed Peanut Palm Fruit

6. Feedstocks for Food and/or Fuel?
? ?

7. Why Microalgae?
 Microalgae can produce large amounts of neutral lipids
(oil), from 20 to 40% of dry weight.
 Algae lipid production potential is far greater then any
other biofuel feedstock.
 Algae do not compete with food sources over land,
therefore cropland can be devoted to feeding the
population.
 CO2 from power plants can be absorbed by microalgae,
therefore reducing emissions.

8. Crop Plant and Algae Based Oil
Production Potential
Oil Production of Crop (gal/acre)
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0

9. Current Status of Microalgae Oil
Production
 Currently in the beginning stages of research and testing.
 More research has to be performed to determine possible
future of microalgae.
 Processing of oil from microalgae can be expensive and is
heavily researched.
 Some cultivation processes show promise but are still in the
beginning stages of implementation.
 Support and financing are low and need to increase for
microalgae biofuels to have an opportunity to make an
impact on the energy industry.

10. Understanding Microalgae Oil
Production
 Production of oil is a very complex process that is influenced
by several factors including species of
algae, temperature, CO2 concentration, nutrient
concentration, water supply, and light presence.
 It is important to realize that every variation of these factors can
dramatically alter the oil production from the algae.
 Additional methods exist, making matters even more complex.
 Instead of autotrophic growth, growth with CO2 and
sunlight, there have been proposals to grow via heterotrophic. This
type of growth will involve no sun light and no CO2. Instead the
algae are provided with a carbon substrate such as glucose or
glycerin.
 There are other proposals to grow the algae with a combination
of autotrophic growth and heterotrophic growth as well.

11. Understanding Microalgae Oil
Production
 Every species of microalgae has an optimal growth range at
certain temperatures, nutrient levels, sun light exposure, etc.
 Some species of microalgae produce more oil then others species.
 Heterotrophic growth normally, but not always, produces more oil
in microalgae than autotrophic growth.
 In conclusion, oil production in microalgae is very fickle and subtle
changes can make dramatic changes in oil production. Therefore
it is very important to conduct extensive research on these factors
to determine the best species of microalgae and the best nutrition
mode to optimize and increase oil production from microalgae.
The table on the next slide shows the complex and fickle nature of
oil production.

12. Understanding Microalgae Oil
Production
Algae Species Cultural Biomass Lipid Content Oil Yield
Method Growth (g/L) (%) (mg/L*d)
C. sp-1 Autotrophic 0.46 30.05 17.28
Heterotrophic 1.72 35.00 75.25
Mixotrophic 2.17 37.78 102.48
2C. sp-2 Autotrophic 0.24 18.59 11.49
Heterotrophic 1.38 26.67 46.01
Mixotrophic 1.90 26.33 62.53
S. Obliquus Autotrophic 0.35 35.69 15.70
Heterotrophic 1.66 30.25 62.62
Mixotrophic 2.86 36.17 129.13
I. galbana Autotrophic 0.23 21.20 6.84
Mixotrophic 0.23 26.80 7.81
P. umtricornutum Autotrophic 0.23 24.00 6.90
Mixotrophic 0.27 20.85 7.04

13. Other Research and Design
Issues
 Algal biomass dewatering and drying
 Sun-drying, waste heat drying, drum-drying, freeze-drying, etc.
 Algae oil extraction and pre-treatment
 Solvents, mechanical, electrical, supercritical fluid extraction, etc.
 Oil Conversion and refinement
 Transesterification, deoxygenation, cracking, isomerization, etc.
 System integration
 Wastewater, flue gases, algae culture, biomass residues, system
scale-up feasibility, etc.

14. Carbon Sequestration

15. Wastewater Treatment

16. Concluding Thoughts/ Path Forward
 Algae represent a promising opportunity for renewable and
sustainable fuels.
 Algal feedstock production can be coupled with removing carbon
from the atmosphere (carbon sequestration) and wastewater
treatment.
 An engineered algae-based approach can represent a mid-, to
long-term solution rather than an immediate fix.
 Federal and state funding, along with university/industry
collaborations are needed to capitalize on the opportunity at
hand.
 Additionally, support and investments from the general public
would greatly increase the process of research and optimization.

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