1. Micro Algae Production: A Renewable, Sustainable Alternative to Produce Fuels and Fertilizers Ganti S. Murthy Biological and Ecological Engineering Department Oregon State University 16 th, Jan, 2008

2. Need for Sustainable Biobased Economy Three important considerations Energy resources and their contribution Population growth and economy Global climate change

3. World Energy Scenario Usability is determined by the following characteristics of energy sources. High energy density Long shelf life Safety Quality Energy sources Non Renewable: Petroleum, coal, nuclear Renewable: Solar, wind, hydro and biomass Are all forms of energy the same? kWhr from coal ≠ kWhr from gasoline ≠ kWhr from electricity

4. World Energy Scenario Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:World_energy_usage_width_chart.svghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:World_energy_usage_width_chart.svg Data: Renewables in global energy supply. IEA Report, 2007.

5. Energy Consumption and Economy Source: Frank van Mierlo, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Energy_consumption_versus_GDP.png Energy is the real currency of economies.

6. Emerging Economies Newly industrialized countries Emerging economies Other developing countries Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:World_population.PNG

7. Arable Land in the World Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Arable_land_percent_world.png Data: CIA Factobook

8. Renewables: Just Fuels? Nitrogenous fertilizers Production of polymers (polylactic acid and zein) Fuels and chemicals from cattle manure Alternate uses for lignin: production of value added products, use for heating Nutraceuticals

9. Solar Energy Biodiesel Carbon Dioxide Processing Algae Sustainable Technologies Laboratory Power Plants Transportation

10. Oil extraction Hydroclones Sieves/Filters Municipal/Farm Waste Water Photobioreactor Algae Recovery Direct combustion Algae oilAlgae cakeHeat/Electricity Clean Water Open Ponds Integrated Algae Production Technology

11. Biodiesel Production: Comparison CropBiodiesel Potential (gal/acre) Soybeans48 Canola127 Oil Palm635 Algae 819 (Actual) 5000 (Theoretical)

12. Algae Advantages  Higher productivities as compared to conventional crops (~30 times more yield than soybean per acre/yr)  Lower water consumption for growth (99% less water)  Waste water and flue gases can be used to grow algae  Some strains of algae selectively adsorb heavy metal ions  Algae grow in diverse environmental conditions

13. Algae Challenges  Theoretical maximum yields have not been achieved in commercial facilities  Open ponds susceptible to contamination, lower productivities  Closed photobioreactors are relatively expensive  Algae harvesting and oil recovery needs innovative solutions  Nucleic acids in some algae reduces productivity of animals

14. Algae Biomass: Flue Gas Utilization Oil extraction HydroclonesSieves/Filters Hydrolysis and fermentation Water, Nutrients and Carbon Dioxide Photobioreactor Algae Recovery Direct combustion EthanolAlgae oil Algae cake Heat/Electricity Water Recycle Light

15. Assumptions Light source power consumption (W/ foot)0.8 Cost for a 200W panel ($)950 Peak power from panel (W)200 Eficiency of panel (% peak power)50 Area of a 200W panel (sq. m)1.414 Days of operation (per year)365 Algae produced (% w/v)0.03/0.06 Oil content of Algae (% w/w)0.3 oil (30% at 0.729 density)0.219 Revenue ($/gal)2 Algae Production in a Solar Powered Photobioreactor: Economic Analysis

16. Area Ratio (panel area/PBR area) power consumption per foot 0.961.22.43.6 Area Ratio (panel area/PBR area)2.332.915.818.72 Payback period (years) 0.06 %w/v3.614.519.0213.53 Payback period (years) 0.03 %w/v7.219.0218.0427.06 Algae Production in a Solar Powered Photobioreactor: Economic Analysis

17. Algae Production Technology Project Objectives:  Experimental validation of the concepts using prototype photobioreactor systems  Determine efficiencies of algae recovery and processing technologies  Complete economic analysis of the technology alternatives  Preparation of a business plan for algae production technology alternatives

18. Thank you Sustainable Technologies Laboratory Ganti S. Murthy Biological and Ecological Engineering Department Oregon State University murthy@engr.orst.edu 541-737-6291