The Suitability of Algae Protein Residue as an Effective Biofuel By Alexis Barragan.
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Transcript of The Suitability of Algae Protein Residue as an Effective Biofuel By Alexis Barragan.
Non-Renewable Energy
Non-renewable resource is any natural resource that cannot be naturally replenish-ed in a human time scale.•Fossil Fuels
• Coal• Oil• Natural Gas
•Radioactive• Uranium
Renewable Energy
A renewable resource is a natural resource that can be be replenished naturally at the same rate as human consumption so to not be completely depleted.•Biomass
• Soil• Forests• Plants
•Other• Solar• Geothermal• Hydro
Pyrolysis
Pyrolysis is the thermochemical decomposition of a organic substance at high temperatures without oxygen.
Products of pyrolysis include:•Main Products• Bio-oil• Charcoal
•Intermediate products• Syngas
•By-products• Electricity• Thermal energy
The Advantages of Algae• Habitats: algae can grow on arable, non-arable land,
saltwater, freshwater, waste water.• Sanitation: grows better in waste water and cleans the water
as well.• Photosynthesis: When given CO2 the algae grows better and
produces more oxygen.• Oil production: produces 15 times more oil than other plants
like corn, rapeseed, or switchgrass.
Algal Biodiesel ProcessBoth the oil press and the hexane solvent method produce leftover protein residue.
Question & Hypothesis
• Question• Can the protein residue found after lipid extraction be
used as a fuel source?
• Hypothesis• Algae will be found to be a viable source of fuel when
compared to other currently used fuel sources.
TGA• Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) is used to determine the
amounts of bio-oils and boigas that are released at different temperatures. Can also be used to determine a target temperature in an industrial system.
Test 1Time (mins and
secs)Temperature (°C)
0:00 25.250:30 25.241:00 25.221:30 25.212:00 25.22:30 25.23:00 25.23:30 25.24:00 25.254:30 25.285:00 25.35:30 25.36:00 25.36:30 25.37:00 25.37:30 25.318:00 25.318:30 25.39:00 25.299:30 25.29
10:00 25.28
Test 2Time (mins and secs) Temperature (°C)
0:00 24.9
0:30 25.05
1:00 25.05
1:30 25.05
2:00 25.04
2:30 25.03
3:00 25.03
3:30 25.03
4:00 25.04
4:30 25.07
5:00 25.08
5:30 25.09
6:00 25.1
6:30 25.1
7:00 25.1
7:30 25.1
8:00 25.1
8:30 25.09
9:00 25.09
9:30 25.08
10:00 25.07
Calorimeter data of algae with lipids. Calorimeter data of algae without lipids.
• Lowest temperature of algae with lipids: 25.20°C (T0)• Highest temperature of algae with lipids: 25.31°C (T1)• T1 – T0 = 0.11°C
• Lowest temperature of algae without lipids: 25.03°C (T0)• Highest temperature of algae without lipids: 25.10°C (T1)• T1 – T0 = .07°C
Essential in calculations.
Calculations
Awl= Algae with lipids•ΔU = Ccalorimeter X ΔT
was the initial formula•ΔU = -10.7kJ/°C X 0.11°C•ΔU = -1.177kJ for the algae with lipids sample •ΔU = -1.177kJ = ΔUAwl X (MassAwl) + ΔUFe X (MassFe)
•ΔU = -1.177kJ = ΔUAwl X (0.0761g) - .00688kg
•…•-15.376kJ/g = ΔUAwl
Calculations cont.
Awol= Algae without lipids•ΔU = -10.7kJ/°C X 0.07°C•ΔU = -0.749kJ for the algae with lipids sample •ΔU = -0.749kJ = ΔUAwol X (MassAwol) + ΔUFe X (MassFe)
•ΔU = -1.177kJ = ΔUAwol X (0.0761g) - .00688kg
•…•-10.22kJ/g = ΔUAwol
• Algae with lipids: -15.376kJ/g
• Algae without lipids: -10.22kJ/g
Approximately 5 kJ/g difference.
These values can be used to compare to other data from other sources of fuel.
Statistically Compare• Common Feedstocks:• Bamboo
• Switchgrass
• Bagasse
• Corn Husks
• Organic Waste
Conclusion
Initial data seems to support my hypothesis, although additional data will be required for a more conclusive
answer
•Future Investigations• Compare Algae data to more fuels•Other?
Significance
Algae biofuel firms:•GreenFuel Technologies: $92 million on fuel plant•Solazyme: makes deals with Chevron and Imperium Renewables•Blue Marble Energy: finds and cleans algae infested polluted water and turns the algae into biofuels•Inventure Chemical: algae-to-jet-fuel•Live Fuels: open-pond algae bioreactors•Solix Biofuels: biocrude closed-tank bioreactor •Aurora Biofuels: uses genetics to isolate specific algae strains to efficiently create biofuels•Aquaflow Bonimics: economically produces biofuel from wild algae•Petro Sun: 1,100 acres of ponds to produce 4.4 million gallons of algae oil.
Acknowledgements• Dr. Kevin Whitty, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Utah• Alonzo Martinez, Chemistry Department, University of Utah• Professors• Ashley Budd, Mentor• Academy for Math, Engineering, & Science