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U.S. Department of Energy
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Biosolar production of fuels from algae

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7313987
A design concept is described for the production of methane, hydrogen, and ammonia using solar energy. Filamentous, nitrogen-fixing blue-green algae are employed as a source of biomass for methane and ammonia generation by anaerobic digestion and as a biological catalyst for the photoproduction of hydrogen from water. The resources needed, biomass production and harvest, anaerobic digester, the process of biophotolysis, and product separation are discussed. The environmental and genetic modifications possible to increase biomass production are indicated. Preliminary cost estimates are made for methane and hydrogen production. It is concluded that biosynthetic methane is not economically competitive with that derived from coal gasification, but that hydrogen production offers a viable long-range prospect. (JSR)
Research Organization:
California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
7313987
Report Number(s):
UCRL-52177
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English