Bio Diesel From Algae

Biodiesel from Algae

In today’s presentation we try… ØTo convey the message why we think that algae biodiesel might have an important role to play in the Indian energy independence goal in the near future. ØAnd some other general views.

07/30/09

Ridip Borah, UPES

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“THE USE OF VEGETABLE OILS FOR ENGINE FUEL MAY SEEM INSIGNIFICANT TODAY, BUT SUCH OILS WILL BECOME IN DUE TIME , AS IMPORTANT AS PETROLEUM AND COAL PRODUCTS OF PRESENT TIME”………………..

SIR

07/30/09

Ridip Borah, UPES

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Today’s energy scenario in India is…. Concerns

about

◦ Unstable energy prices

Alternate

ideas

◦ Nuclear power ◦ Hydrogen fuel cell

◦ Import issues

◦ Electric vehicles

◦ Climate change

◦ Bio-fuels

◦ Geo-politics

◦ Other renewable

◦ Depleting fossil fuel

energy sources

levels

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Ridip Borah, UPES

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Why biodiesel ØBiodiesel is the most viable option for India today. ØEthanol and biodiesel blends are already in use. ØTechnically proven. ØInfrastructure cost is tolerable and incremental. 07/30/09

Ridip Borah, UPES

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Biodiesel

 Cost

Nuclear/Hydrogen/Electrical

of production low

 Technology

already

present  Can

use the existing

distribution system  Safe

and secure

 Cost

of production very

high  Technology yet to be developed commercially  Cannot use the existing distribution system  Potentially dangerous and hazardous

Biodiesel v/s other sources 07/30/09

Ridip Borah, UPES

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Brief about biodiesel ØIt’s a non-toxic, bio-degradable diesel fuel made from animal fats and/or vegetable oils. ØTransesterification is the process used to produce biodiesel from vegetable oils and/or animal fats.

07/30/09

Ridip Borah, UPES

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Brief about biodiesel ØCommon sources of biodiesel are vJatropha vSunflower oil vSoya bean oil vAlgae vCorn seed oil vOil palm vCotton seed oil 07/30/09

Ridip Borah, UPES

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Process of making biodiesel ØBase catalyzed esterification. ØDirect acid catalyzed esterification. ØConversion of oil to fatty acid, then acid catalyzed esterification. ØFollowed by proper washing. 07/30/09

Ridip Borah, UPES

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Benefits of biodiesel in India Ø Domestic oil production and economic growth. Ø Elimination of foreign oil imports. Ø Its non-toxic and completely bio-degradable, hence spills or leaking of underground storage will not damage environment. Ø A 100% renewable source of energy.

07/30/09

Ridip Borah, UPES

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Why algae as feedstock.. Ø Among the fastest growing plants; about 50% of their weight is oil. Ø Per acre yield is way higher than the other plants. Ø Wastelands and damp lands which is not required for any other purpose can be used for algae plantation. Ø We can even cultivate them in laboratory. Ø India is a rainy country (mostly).

07/30/09

Ridip Borah, UPES

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Crop/plantations

Yield in gallons/acre/year

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Corn Cotton seed Soya bean Sunflower Jatropha Oil palm Algae

18 35 48 105 205 635 >5000(depending on process/species)

Yield comparison 07/30/09

Ridip Borah, UPES

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Advantages of algal biodiesel Ø Rapid growth rate. Ø Certain species of microalgae can be harvested on a daily basis. Ø Contains no sulfur. Ø It is non-toxic. Ø It is highly bio-degradable. Ø Consume high amount of CO2 ,hence they can be used as antidote to other industrial establishments who produce CO2.

07/30/09

Ridip Borah, UPES

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How the algae is selected ØScreening is done on the basis of: ØSafety ØGrowth rate ØOil concentration and productivity ØAbility to resist contamination ØAbility to grow in continuous culture ØEase of oil recovery ØEase of downstream processing

07/30/09

Ridip Borah, UPES

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Some pictures of laboratory harvesting of algae…

Synthetic membrane growth of algae 07/30/09

Ridip Borah, UPES

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Solar panel to collect sunlight

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Ridip Borah, UPES

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Fiber optics light cables give the synthetic membranes the necessary solar energy. So the algae keeps on growing during night time as well.

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Ridip Borah, UPES

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Ridip Borah, UPES

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The three step process Phase

1

◦ Algae selection and optimization ◦ Lab scale testing ◦ Process and equipment modeling ◦ Engineering scale design and procurement

07/30/09

Ridip Borah, UPES

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Three step process Phase

2

◦ Algal growth data ◦ Engineering scale design data tests ◦ Pilot scale design & long lead procurement

07/30/09

Ridip Borah, UPES

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Three step process Phase

3

◦ Complete installation of pilot scale equipment ◦ Starting of the pilot plant ◦ Demonstrate process and collect data for the process & cost modeling of the original plant 07/30/09

Ridip Borah, UPES

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e h t s ’ t a h w So

? ? ? m e l b o pr

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Ridip Borah, UPES

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Ridip Borah, UPES

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Finally…. vVarious rectification processes are ongoing right now to solve the problems. vThe sudden economic slowdown hit the progress unexpectedly. vWe hope for a better future ahead. 07/30/09

Ridip Borah, UPES

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Ridip Borah, UPES

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