Fuels from microalgae: Technology status, potential, and research requirements

Technical Report · Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6685301· OSTI ID:6685301

Neenan, B; Feinberg, D; Hill, A; McIntosh, R; Terry, K

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., Golden, CO (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-83CH10093
• OSTI ID: 6685301
• Report Number(s): SERI/SP-231-2550; ON: DE86010739
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ALCOHOLS
ALGAE
ALKANES
biomass feedstocks
CARBON COMPOUNDS
carbon dioxide
CARBON OXIDES
catalytic conversion
cellular lipids
CHALCOGENIDES
DIATOMS
diesel substitute
DOE
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ETHANOL
EVAPORATION
FUELS
GASOLINE
gasoline substitute
GROWTH
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
lipid yield
LIPIDS
LIQUID FUELS
METHANE
MICROORGANISMS
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PLANTS
PRODUCTION
SYNTHETIC FUELS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
transesterification
UNICELLULAR ALGAE
VEGETABLE OILS
YIELDS