Microalgae as a source of liquid fuels. Final technical report. [200 references]
The economics of liquid-fuels production from microalgae was evaluated. A detailed review of published economic analyses of microalgae biomass production revealed wide variations in the published costs, which ranged from several dollars per pound for existing commercial health-food production in the Far East, to less than .05/lb costs projected for microalgae biomass for fuel conversion. As little design information or specific cost data has been published, a credible cost estimate required the conceptual engineering design and cost estimating of microalgae to liquid-fuels processes. Two systems were analyzed, shallow (2 to 3'') covered ponds and deeper (1 ft) open ponds. Only the latter was selected for an in-depth analysis due to the many technical shortcomings of the former approach. Based on the cost analysis of a very simple and low cost process, the most optimistic costs extrapolated were about $60/barrel. These were based on many optimistic assumptions. Additional, more detailed, engieering and cost analyses would be useful. However, the major emphasis in future work in this area should be on demonstrating the basic premises on which this design was based: high productivity and oil content of microalgae strains that can dominate in open ponds and which can be harvested by a simple bioflocculation process. Several specific basic research needs were identified: (1) Fundamentals of species selection and control in open pond systems. Effects of environmental variables on species dominance is of particular interest. (2) Mechanisms of algae bioflocculation. (3) Photosynthetic pathways and efficiency under conditions of high lipid production. (4) Effects of non-steady state operating conditions, particularly pH (CO/sub 2/ availability), on productivity. 18 figures, 47 tables.
- Research Organization:
- EnBio, Inc., Fairfield, CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-81ER30014
- OSTI ID:
- 6374113
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/30014-T1; ON: DE83013562
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ALGAE
BIOCONVERSION
LIQUID FUELS
BIOSYNTHESIS
BY-PRODUCTS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CHEMICAL FEEDSTOCKS
COST
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ENGINEERING
HARVESTING
HYDROCARBONS
PONDS
PRODUCTION
REVIEWS
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DOCUMENT TYPES
ECONOMICS
FUELS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
SURFACE WATERS
SYNTHESIS
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140504 - Solar Energy Conversion- Biomass Production & Conversion- (-1989)