Fuels from microalgae: Technology status, potential, and research requirements
Although numerous options for the production of fuels from microalgae have been proposed, our analysis indicates that only two qualify for extensive development - gasoline and ester fuel. In developing the comparisons that support this conclusion, we have identified the major areas of microalgae production and processing that require extensive development. Technology success requires developing and testing processes that fully utilize the polar and nonpolar lipids produced by microalgae. Process designs used in these analyses were derived from fragmented, preliminary laboratory data. These results must be substantiated and integrated processes proposed, tested, and refined to be able to evaluate the commercial feasibility from microalgae. The production of algal feedstocks for processing to gasoline or ester fuel requires algae of high productivity and high lipid content that efficiently utilize saline waters. Species screening and development suggest that algae can achieve required standards taken individually, but algae that can meet the integrated requirements still elude researchers. Effective development of fuels from microalgae technology requires that R and D be directed toward meeting the integrated standards set out in the analysis. As technology analysts, it is inappropriate for us to dictate how the R and D effort should proceed to meet these standards. We end our role by noting that alternative approaches to meeting the feasibility targets have been identified, and it is now the task of program managers and scientists to choose the appropriate approach to assure the greatest likelihood of realizing a commercially viable technology. 70 refs., 39 figs., 35 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Solar Energy Research Inst. (SERI), Golden, CO (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-83CH10093
- OSTI ID:
- 6685301
- Report Number(s):
- SERI/SP-231-2550; ON: DE86010739
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
SYNTHETIC FUELS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
UNICELLULAR ALGAE
GROWTH
CARBON DIOXIDE
DIATOMS
ETHANOL
EVAPORATION
GASOLINE
LIPIDS
METHANE
PRODUCTION
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
VEGETABLE OILS
YIELDS
ALCOHOLS
ALGAE
ALKANES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
ECONOMICS
FUELS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LIQUID FUELS
MICROORGANISMS
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PLANTS
DOE
gasoline substitute
diesel substitute
lipid yield
biomass feedstocks
cellular lipids
transesterification
catalytic conversion
carbon dioxide
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