Economic Analysis of a Vertical Sheet Algal Photobioreactor for Biodiesel Production

Zemke, Peter E.; Wood, Byard D.; Dye, Daniel J.; Bayless, David J.; Muhs, Jeff

doi:10.1115/es2007-36055

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Cornet et al 1992Cornet et al , 1995Fernandez et al 1998Fernandez et al , 2000Fernandez et al , 2001Lin et al 2003). Other concepts, such as vertical sheet reactors (Zemke et al 2007), also provide an opportunity for modelling. Such explorations have as long a history as models of microalgae (e.g.…”

Section: Optimization Of Bioreactor Design and Operationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Placing microalgae on the biofuels priority list: a review of the technological challenges

Greenwell

Laurens

Shields

et al. 2009

J. R. Soc. Interface.

721

359

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Microalgae provide various potential advantages for biofuel production when compared with 'traditional' crops. Specifically, large-scale microalgal culture need not compete for arable land, while in theory their productivity is greater. In consequence, there has been resurgence in interest and a proliferation of algae fuel projects. However, while on a theoretical basis, microalgae may produce between 10-and 100-fold more oil per acre, such capacities have not been validated on a commercial scale. We critically review current designs of algal culture facilities, including photobioreactors and open ponds, with regards to photosynthetic productivity and associated biomass and oil production and include an analysis of alternative approaches using models, balancing space needs, productivity and biomass concentrations, together with nutrient requirements. In the light of the current interest in synthetic genomics and genetic modifications, we also evaluate the options for potential metabolic engineering of the lipid biosynthesis pathways of microalgae. We conclude that although significant literature exists on microalgal growth and biochemistry, significantly more work needs to be undertaken to understand and potentially manipulate algal lipid metabolism. Furthermore, with regards to chemical upgrading of algal lipids and biomass, we describe alternative fuel synthesis routes, and discuss and evaluate the application of catalysts traditionally used for plant oils. Simulations that incorporate financial elements, along with fluid dynamics and algae growth models, are likely to be increasingly useful for predicting reactor design efficiency and life cycle analysis to determine the viability of the various options for largescale culture. The greatest potential for cost reduction and increased yields most probably lies within closed or hybrid closed -open production systems.

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Section: Optimization Of Bioreactor Design and Operationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Placing microalgae on the biofuels priority list: a review of the technological challenges

Greenwell

Laurens

Shields

et al. 2009

J. R. Soc. Interface.

721

359

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Even a glass house to protect a photo-bioreactor with cheap materials would be much too expensive. Recent feasibility studies ( [76,77]) see an economic viable value only for reactor costs below 40/m 2 . On the other hand, a normal tree does not need a reactor.…”

Section: Concepts For Improved Photo-bioreactor Performancementioning

confidence: 99%

Design principles of photo‐bioreactors for cultivation of microalgae

Posten

2009

Engineering in Life Sciences

682

361

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The present hype in microalgae biotechnology has shown that the topic of photobioreactors has to be revisited with respect to availability in really large scale measured in hectars footprint area, minimization of cost, auxiliary energy demand as well as maintenance and life span. This review gives an overview about present designs and the basic limiting factors which include light distribution to avoid saturation kinetics, mixing along the light gradient to make use of light/ dark cycles, aeration and mass transfer along the vertical or horizontal main axis for carbon dioxide supply and oxygen removal and last but not least the energy demand necessary to fulfil these tasks. To make comparison of the performance of different designs easier, a commented list of performance parameters is given. Based on these critical points recent developments in the areas of membranes for gas transfer and optical structures for light transfer are discussed. The fundamental starting point for the optimization of photo-bioprocesses is a detailed understanding of the interaction between the bioreactor in terms of mass and light transfer as well as the microalgae physiology in terms of light and carbon uptake kinetics and dynamics.

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“…The potential of microalgae‐based biodiesel production and suitability of a particular site and strain can be evaluated by using a set of parameters. The parameters and their equations are obtained (Zemke, Wood, & Dye, 2008a) and presented in Equations (1)–(8). The terms and their corresponding magnitude used in the equations are tabulated in EXHIBIT 1 .

B {normalM}_{normalProduction} = (η_{normalTransmission} * η_{normalCapture} * H_{S}) / E_{normalMicroalgae}

M {normalL}_{normalProduction} = (f_{L} * normalB {normalM}_{normalProduction}) / ρ_{L}

η_{normalTransmission} = η_{Light Distribution} * η_{Land Use} * α * normalPA {normalR}_{normalComponent}

η_{Photon Utilization} = false(I_{s} / I_{l} false) * false[\ln ((), I_{l} / I_{s}) + 1 false]

η_{normalCapture} = η_{normalPhotosynthesis} * η_{Photon Utilization} * (1 - r)

{normalE}_{normalMicroalgae} = f_{L} * E_{L} + f_{P} * E_{P...}

…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The potential of microalgae-based biodiesel production and suitability of a particular site and strain can be evaluated by using a set of parameters. The parameters and their equations are obtained (Zemke, Wood, & Dye, 2008a) and presented in Equations (1)-(8). The terms and their corresponding magnitude used in the equations are tabulated in EXHIBIT 1.…”

Section: Evaluation Of Algal Biodiesel Potentialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microalgae‐based biodiesel production in open raceway ponds using coal thermal flue gas: A case of West Bengal, India

Bhadra

Salam

Sarker

2020

Environmental Quality Mgmt

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India is one of the most populous countries and is the third largest greenhouse gas-emitting nation. Energy security is a serious issue for India as it relies heavily on fossil fuel imports. Biodiesel production using microalgae as feedstock can address both of these issues. In this study, the technical feasibility of microalgae-based biodiesel production is carried out for a coal thermal power plant (i.e., Budge Budge Thermal Station) in the state of West Bengal, India, using a generic methodology. An oleaginous microalgae species that is tolerant toward flue gas was identified (i.e., Nannochloropsis sp). A 75-acre open raceway microalgae production plant was designed keeping the costs, energy demand, and CO 2 emissions low. The open raceway pond can use 38 tons of CO 2 , produce 19 tons of algal biomass, and treat 9320 m 3 of wastewater per acre annually.

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Economic Analysis of a Vertical Sheet Algal Photobioreactor for Biodiesel Production

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

Placing microalgae on the biofuels priority list: a review of the technological challenges

Placing microalgae on the biofuels priority list: a review of the technological challenges

Design principles of photo‐bioreactors for cultivation of microalgae

Microalgae‐based biodiesel production in open raceway ponds using coal thermal flue gas: A case of West Bengal, India

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