The document discusses using microalgae to produce biodiesel as a renewable alternative fuel. Microalgae have advantages over other biodiesel feedstocks like seed oils in that they do not require arable land, can use brackish or saline water, and absorb more CO2. While open ponds are commonly used, they have issues with contamination, evaporation and land use. The aim is to use microalgae for high and cost-effective biodiesel production to address declining fossil fuels and global warming without competing with food supplies.

1. Tanta University Faculty of Science Botany Department Phycology Research Unit BY Abd El-Fatah Ibrahim Abo-Mohra Production of Biofuel From Microalgae

2. The world is entering a period of declining non-renewable energy resources , while energy demand is increasing. As a result of this impending energy crisis, both governments and private industry are examining alternative sources of energy.

3. Our reliance on fossil fuels has caused carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) enrichment of the atmosphere, and is the primary contributor to the generally-accepted phenomenon called global warming .

4. Global warming can be accomplished by three conceptually different methods: 1. Reducing the use of fossil fuels. 2. Removing CO 2 from the atmosphere. 3. Capturing and sequestering or utilizing the CO 2 emitted by fossil fuel combustion before it enters the atmosphere.

5. In order to realize a stable energy alternative that will meet world demand while mitigating climate change, it is necessary to develop renewable clean fuels. Ironically, most renewable energy initiatives are focused on electricity generation , while the majority of world energy consumption, about two thirds, is derived from liquid fuels (Hankamer et al ., 2007) . The need for renewable sources of portable, liquid fuel is starting to receive greater attention, and much of this attention has been focused on biomass-derived liquid fuels , or biofuels (Schneider, 2006; Haag, 2006).

6. Biodiesel Biodiesel is a biofuel consisting of monoalkyl esters (Demirbas, 2007). At 60 °C, the reaction can complete in 90 minutes. CH 3 -O CH 3 -O CH 3 -O

7. The triglyceride is a complex molecule that plants and animals use for storing food energy; in more simple terms, it is fat . Molecular composition Triglyceride (Fats) Triglycerides are composed of three long hydrocarbon chains bound together by one glycerol molecule.

8. The process of making biodiesel occurs as follows: A) The triglycerides, methanol, and catalyst are placed in a controlled reaction chamber to undergo transesterification . B) The initial product is placed in a separator to remove the glycerine by-product. C) The excess methanol is recovered from the methyl esters through evaporation . D) The final biodiesel is rinsed with water and pH neutralized (Xu et al ., 2006).

9. Transterification Breaking a molecule using alcohol substitution is called alcoholysis . Methanol To use the fat molecule for clean fuel, first we need to break it. When we break a molecule with alcohol and turn it into an ester the process is called transterification. Glycerol

10. Transterification of lipids First Stage

11. Completed reaction mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids Glycerol

12. Biodiesel has a number of advantages Because the fuel is derived from biomass, it does not contribute to atmospheric CO 2 emissions . Biodiesel emissions are, on the whole, lower than petroleum diesel. Substituting biodiesel for petroleum diesel results in substantial reductions of soot, sulphur , unburned hydrocarbon , and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emissions (Rakopoulos et al ., 2006; Aresta et al ., 2005; Demirbas, 2007). The infrastructure needed for biodiesel already exists. Biodiesel can be used in existing diesel engines blended with petroleum diesel, or can be run unblended in engines with minor modifications (Crookes, 2006; Rakopoulos et al ., 2006; Bowman et al . 2006).

13. 4) Because biodiesel has twice the viscosity of petroleum diesel, its lubrication properties can actually improve engine life (Bowman et al . 2006). 5) Biodiesel has low toxicity and is biodegradable (Aresta et al ., 2005; Demirbas, 2007). 6) Biodiesel has a more complete combustion , giving a cleaner burn (Bowman et al ., 2006).

15. Brazil – 3% of consumption now mandated, moving to 5% Argentina: likely to produce 1 mmt in 2008 Colombia: 110,000 mt forecasted for 2008 Malaysia: industry facing major problems Indonesia: high domestic prices limiting output China: Mostly using waste oil and jatropha Singapore: Large plants planned Russia: several plants planned South Africa: large net vegoil importer India: mostly will use jatropha Philippines: plans to use coconut oil and jatropha

16. Biodiesel is not without problems The price of biodiesel is typically higher than petroleum diesel. Although scale of production is a contributing factor, the high cost of biomass is the most important consideration. The biomass feed stocks for making biodiesel are diverted from other important uses , typically food production.

17. Biodiesel can be made from virtually any source of organic oil. Typical sources include restaurant waste oil , animal fats , and seed oils . The supply of waste oil is very limited; however, it is a popular source for small scale producers. Large commercial producers often use seed oils , such as soybean, rapeseed, palm, and corn oils. UNFORTUNATELY , biodiesel derived from seed oil diverts from the food supply and the increasing competition for seed causes the oil, and resulting biodiesel, to become increasingly expensive.

18. Gasoline Additive MMT ( methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl ( . MMT is a gasoline octane enhancer produced by the Afton Chemical Corporation ( Afton ) , formerly known as the Ethyl Corporation . MMT is allowed in U . S . gasoline at a level equivalent to 1/32 grams per gallon manganese ( gpg Mn ).

23. It has been estimated that 0.53 billion m 3 of biodiesel would be needed to replace current US transportation consumption of all petroleum fuels (Christi, 2007). Neither waste oil nor seed oil can come close to meeting the requirement for that much fuel; therefore, if biodiesel is to become a true replacement for petroleum, a more productive source of oil is needed (Scott and Bryner, 2006; Christi, 2007).

24. Algae as a Source of Biodiesel The algae that are used in biodiesel production are usually aquatic unicellular green algae. This type of algae is a photosynthetic eukaryote characterized by high growth rates and high population densities . Under good conditions, green algae can double its biomass in less than 24 hours (Christi, 2007; Schneider, 2006). Additionally, green algae can have huge lipid contents , frequently over 50% (Christi, 2007; Schneider, 2006). This high yield, high density biomass is ideal for intensive agriculture and may be an excellent source for biodiesel production.

25. Potential of Algae Biodiesel Yield of biodiesel per acre 15000 Algae 635 Palm Oil 287 Coconut 124 Rapeseed 113 Peanuts 48 Soybean Gal oil / Acre / year Crop

26. Advantages of Algae They do not require arable land for cultivation; this means that algae cultivation does not need to compete with agricultural commodities for growing space. 2) The water used in algae cultivation can be fresh water or saline, and salt concentrations up to twice that of seawater can be used effectively (Brown and Zeiler, 1993; Aresta et al ., 2005); this means that algae need not compete with other users for fresh water.

27. 3) Algae also have a greater capacity to absorb CO 2 than land plants (Brown and Zeiler, 1993). 4) Algae also not prone to photosynthetic inhibition under conditions of intense sunlight (Brown and Zeiler, 1993). 5) After oil extraction from algae, the remaining biomass fraction can be used as a high protein feed for livestock (Schneider, 2006; Haag, 2007); this gives further value to the process and reduces waste. “ Algae has a chance to save the planet” Dr. Michael Fertik

28. Algae cultivation Algae cultivation is typically performed in two ways open ponds bioreactors

33. Vertical mode Horizontal mode The use of CO2 for growing algae Greenhouse

35. Salton Sea, Cal.

36. OPEN RACE-WAY BASED PONDS are the preferred method of large scale algae cultivation , and they have been used since the 1950’s to produce food supplements and pharmaceuticals (Christi, 2007). A paddlewheel circulates the material down a raceway while providing aeration, mixing, and preventing the material from settling on the bottom UNFORTUNATELY , race-way system suffers from: water evaporation , and a high land foot print (Christi, 2007; Haag, 2007). Contamination , because the ponds are open to the environment, maintaining specific species of algae, to the exclusion of others, can be difficult (Haag, 2007). BIOREACTORS are the preferred method for scientific researchers. They allow for a very controlled environment . BUT , These systems are more expensive to build and operate.

37. What is the problem? What is the Aim? AND

38. The world is entering a period of declining non-renewable energy resources , while energy demand is increasing. Our reliance on fossil fuels has caused carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) enrichment of the atmosphere causing global warming . The Problem Biodiesel derived from seed oil diverts from the food supply and the increasing competition for seed causes the oil, and resulting biodiesel , to become increasingly expensive.

39. We need to use microalgae for the high production of biodiesel with minimum costs . The Aim

40. Best Regards Abo-Mohra