Algae Based Biofuels. by Joanne Godfrey Ethanol Analytical Solutions

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1 Algae Based Biofuels by Joanne Godfrey Ethanol Analytical Solutions

2 Why Algae? The future of farming will include: Energy Crops; Switch Grass, Pennycress, Camelina, Algae and a Sustainable Green Energy Economy. 2

3 Why Ethanol and Biodiesel from Algae? Insufficient alternative feedstocks Solution to food vs. fuel dilemma A sustainable fuel production system Potential source for carbohydrate (ethanol) and oil (biodiesel) Potential for very high biological productivity 3

4 Global Carbon Cycle Respiration + Combustion + Decay (releases CO2) versus Photosynthesis (captures CO2) 4

5 Global Photosynthetic Productivity 5

6 Algae: Nature s CO2 Scrubber Earth s photosynthetic capacity is large. It is estimated that algae fix 99 billion tons of carbon per year. Algae in nature fix carbon equal to about 25,000 Coal Burning Power Plants 6

7 Energy Harvesting from the Natural Carbon Cycle 70%+ CO2 Solar Energy Algae Natures CO2 Scrubber Water Purifier Lipids (Oil) Biodiesel O2 Proteins Animal Feed Carbohydrates Ethanol Feedstock Biomass Renewable Solid Fuels 7 Carbon Compounds Algae Processing 7

8 Commercial Food Supplements Algae: Dunaliella salina Nutra-Kol Pty Ltd Australia Natural beta carotene 8

9 Biodiesel Oil Feedstocks Source lbs, oil/acre oil, gal/acre biodiesel, gal/acre Low yield algae 9,914 1, High yield algae 71,190 9,281 6,300 1 Corn Soybean Sunflower Peanuts Oil palm 4, Yields based upon an acre one inch in depth 9

10 Open Culture Systems Open systems Less expensive Subject to temperature fluctuation Open to contamination Losses from evaporation Types: open pond, center pivot, raceway 10

11 Raceway and Center Pivot 11

12 High Yield Algae Farming US diesel fuel demand 63 billion gallons 10 million acres for algae production 2.3% of total cropland equivalent (200 dots) Can use land other than cropland 12

13 Algae Farming Four main issues for farming algae Growth rate Product being made Crop protection Harvestability fast and cheap method

14 Closed Culture Systems Closed bioreactors Provide a controlled biological environment Lower evaporation losses Higher capital costs Issues of light penetration and wall growth Types: stirred tank, air lift, tubular, flat plate 14

15 MIT Air Lift Bioreactors 15

16 Tubular Bioreactor (Germany) 16

17 The Potential of Algae Cultivation: Wastes to Resources Waste heat Waste carbon dioxide Watershed nutrients Animal waste Sewage waste Marginal lands Plus Water & Sunlight 17

18 New Biofuels Technologies Cellulosic ethanol Biodiesel technology Mcgyan Biodiesel Dr. Gyberg, Dr. McNeff, Dr. Yan and Brian Krohn,

19 Mcgyan Biodiesel Process Feedstocks Acid Number of Lipid State (at RT) Mcgyan? Traditional? FFA from Canola Solid Yes No FFAs from Soy Solid Yes No FFAs from Anchovy Oil Solid Yes No FFAs from Tall Oil Liquid Yes No Brown Grease Mixed Yes No FFAs from Tallow Oil Solid Yes No FFAs from Palm Oil Solid Yes No Animal/Veg FFAs Mixed Yes No Extracted Rice Bran Oil Mixed Yes No Algae Oil Mixed Yes No Acidulated Oil Liquid Yes No Corn Oil from Distillers Mixed Yes No Yellow Grease Mixed Yes No Cuphea Oil Liquid Yes No Lard 7.88 Solid Yes No Swine Tallow/Chicken fat 5.11 Solid Yes No Walnut Oil 4.47 Liquid Yes No Pennycress Oil 3.45 Liquid Yes No Jatropha Seed Oil 3.31 Liquid Yes No Sesame Oil 3.00 Liquid Yes No Camelina Oil 2.58 Liquid Yes No Lesquerella Oil 2.33 Liquid Yes No Olive Oil 0.46 Liquid Yes Yes Soybean Oil 0.35 liquid Yes Yes Palm Oil 0.25 Solid Yes Yes Almond Oil 0.19 Liquid Yes Yes Rice Oil 0.09 Liquid Yes Yes Sunflower Oil 0.08 Liquid Yes Yes Corn Oil 0.06 Liquid Yes Yes Canola Oil 0.05 Liquid Yes Yes Peanut Oil 0.05 Liquid Yes Yes Safflower Oil 0.05 Liquid Yes Yes Coconut Oil 0.04 Solid Yes Yes Cottonseed Oil 0.04 Liquid Yes Yes 19

20 Traditional vs. Mcgyan Does the Process Traditional Mcgyan Consume the Catalyst? Yes No Use Large Amounts of Water (Washing)? Yes No Produce By-Products (Salts, Soap & Glycerin)? Yes No Require a Relatively Large Footprint? Yes No Have a Sensitivity to Water in the feedstock? Yes No Have a Sensitivity to Free Fatty Acid Content? Yes No Require the use of Large Quantities of Acid and Base? Yes No Convert Free Fatty Acids to Biodiesel? No Yes Converts mixed Variety of Feedstocks to Biodiesel? No Yes Operate Continuously? No Yes Have a Conversion Rate of feedstock lipid to biodiesel on the Order of Hours Seconds 20

21 The Mcgyan Process Alcohol Lipid Alcohol Recovery Reactors Biodiesel Alcohol + Methanol Biodiesel Gas for Heat EFAR Chemistry TGs FFAs

22 Ever Cat Fuels, Isanti, MN Operational in November

23 The Mcgyan Process: Produces carbon-neutral biodiesel from renewable biomass Reduces production costs as it uses non-food feedstocks Uses all available lipid feedstocks including algae oil Consumes no water Occupies a small footprint and is scalable (larger or smaller) Runs continuously and is a highly energy efficient process Converts feedstocks into biodiesel in seconds, not hours Uses no harsh chemicals like strong bases or strong acids Produces no hazardous waste products Mcgyan : Unlocks the potential of algae. 23

24 Conclusions Algae cultivation, processing and fuel processes still in development stage. It s only a matter time before Algae becomes a reliable renewable feedstock source. U. S Navy just introduced 49 foot-long riverine command boat that ran on blend of algae based fuel

25 Biofueling the Future Thank you for your time. For more information contact: Joanne Godfrey Ethanol Analytical Solutions

Chuck Neece Director Research and Development FUMPA BioFuels

Chuck Neece Director Research and Development FUMPA BioFuels What is Biodiesel? Just give me the Facts! Biodiesel is Not! Just filtered grease or oil in your tank This would not be chemically changed to