Economics of production of microalgae in high intensity mass culture, as a new source of fuel oils
Solar energy farming using stands of rapidly growing trees has been suggested as a major source of fuel for the future. Microalgae have generally higher demonstrated production rates than most land biomass up to 50 tons dry weight per acre/yr, for algae, compared to less than 20 tons/acre/yr. for trees. Production at these levels requires capital intensive algal mass culture systems rather than the conventional ponds. Using such an engineered system, algae may be grown under nitrogen-limited conditions to yield lipids in up to 80% of the algal dry weight, at an estimated cost of as low as 20 cents/lb (or about $1.58 per gallon). This lipid has a high energy content (equivalent to sunflower oil) and may be used directly as a diesel fuel. We present experimental data in support of our economic assessment. Microalgae may be a better and more economical source of lipid fuels than land plant biomass.
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories Battelle Blvd. Richland, Washington
- OSTI ID:
- 6889449
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-801210-
- Journal Information:
- Alternative Energy Sources; (United States), Vol. 3; Conference: 3. Miami international conference on alternative energy sources, Miami Beach, FL, USA, 15 Dec 1980
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ALGAE
CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES
PLANT GROWTH
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
LIPIDS
ENERGY YIELD
MICROORGANISMS
GROWTH
SYNTHETIC FUELS
PRODUCTION
AQUACULTURE
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
TREES
DATA
ECONOMICS
FUELS
INFORMATION
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
YIELDS
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140504 - Solar Energy Conversion- Biomass Production & Conversion- (-1989)