Assignment: Production of algae coupled to anaerobic digestion in a closed vessel system for bio-fuel production.
Project management: Interim report
Production of algae coupled to anaerobic digestion in a closed
vessel system for bio-fuel production.
Name: Pieter Sas, Elke Knoops, Benjamin Maris, Serpil Dirikan
Christophe Lisbe, Mouna Tajeddine en Jonatan Wauthier
Group: 1
Name project leader: Bart Cornelis
Start date: 11 Oktober 2010
End date: 15 November 2010
Assignment: Production of algae coupled to anaerobic digestion in a closed vessel system for bio-fuel production.
Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................................................. 0
1.
What is renewable energy ? ............................................................................................................ 1
2.
What is Bio-fuel and how can it be produced? ............................................................................... 1
3.
What are algae’s and their composition? ....................................................................................... 1
4.
Advantages and disadvantages of using algae. ............................................................................... 2
5.
Cultivation methods of algae’s ........................................................................................................ 2
6.
How does the production process of bio-fuel with algae’s occurs? ............................................... 3
7.
Which species of algae is the best for bio-fuel production? ........................................................... 4
8.
Positioning of the algae research and applications within the bio-energy field. ............................ 4
9.
Manipulation of algae to obtain a higher profitability .................................................................... 5
10.
References ................................................................................................................................... 6
Assignment: Production of algae coupled to anaerobic digestion in a closed vessel system for bio-fuel production.
Introduction
Algae, everyone knows it. It's green, slimy and when you are swimming in the sea it tickles
your toes. Algae are just a disaster for your aquarium or your swimming pool. Already,
several projects have demonstrated that algae are also a very convenient so they can be
used as food additives: thickening agents, but they can also be a solution to the rising global
fuel prices and the global warming issue because the usage of algae is a CO 2 neutral
process. Namely, they are also an important sustainable source of biomass for biogas
production as well as lipid for biodiesel production, with several advantages over the current
biomass sources such as rapeseed.
This semi-scientific article, we will speak of the cultivation of algae, the production of biofuels, The Advantages and disadvantages and the genetic engineering or algae to obtain a
higher yield of both oil to biomass. Want to know more about it?
Assignment: Production of algae coupled to anaerobic digestion in a closed vessel system for bio-fuel production.
1. What is renewable plants. They replace the fossil
fuels such as gasoline or
energy ?
Renewable energy is energy
from
inexhaustible
(re)sources.
Thus,
hydroelectric,
wind,
geothermal, biomass and all
forms of solar energy are a
example of an inexhaustible
source. Using renewable
energy is better for the
environment and makes us
less dependent on fossil fuels
which exhaustive and highly
polluting.
Further the European top had
decided to switch over on
renewable energy sources by
10% against 2020 (for
transport
fuels).
Besides renewable energy is
also durable energy, often as
synonyms. This is incorrect,
durable energy has been a
broader term than renewable
energy. It is the energy that
mankind has indefinitely,
extracted
from
an
inexhaustible source, and
whose use is not detrimental
to our environment as well as
for
the
economy.
In other words, durable
energy is always a renewable
energy, but renewable energy
is not always a durable
energy. As recently reported
in the media is bio-fuel from
rapeseed not a durable
source of energy, if for the
growth of these rapeseed
fields the has to be forests cut
down for it.
2. What is Bio-fuel
and how can it be
produced?
Bio-fuels are fuels obtained
from biomass (from any
biological origin), such as
diesel replacement, with the
advantage that bio-fuels emit
less particulate matter and
carbon
dioxide.
There are several distinct
types of bio-fuels such as bioethanol (may include sugar
beet
and
cereals
are
produced) for petrol and
diesel cars (includes rape,
maize and soybeans) for
diesel cars. The raw materials
for producing the bio-fuels can
be
divided
into
three
generations:
1) Bio-fuels of the first
generation : These are biofuels based on sugars,
starches, vegetable oils or
animal fats with conventional
chemical
or
fermentation
processes are converted into
fuels. These are usually food
crops as fuel. The following
fuels
belong
to
this
generation: Bio-ethanol, Biogas(methane gas), Bio-diesel
and pure vegetable oil.
Figure 1 Microalgae Chlorella
3. What are algae’s
and
their
composition?
(Micro-) algae are eukaryotic
photosynthetic
organisms,
which occur
in aquatic
environments.
They
are
classified under the separate
kingdom Protista and can be
unicellular (microalgae) and
multicellular organisms. The
presence of chlorophyll in
photosynthesis, they do, in
other words they use sunlight
as an energy source for
building their biomass such as
sugar and lipids. For this they
need the necessary nutrients
like nitrogen and phosphorus
in a ratio of 16N:1P. To get
these nutrients, they could
use waste water, which
possible has a concentration
2) Bio-fuels of the second on
nutrients.
generation: bio-fuels that are
not produced from food crops, Useful components from algae
especially from plants, grown Polyunsaturated Docosahexaenoic
acid
(DHA),
for energy production from fatty acids
Eicosapentaenoic
food crops or inedible portion.
acid
(EPA),
palmitolleic acid,
Example of this used cooking
oleic
acid,
αoil, straw, willow, wood,
Linolenic acid and
garden waste. The fuels that
triacylglycerol
catalases,
belong to this generation are Antioxidants
superoxide,
and
cellulosic ethanol, Bio Fischerpolyphenols.
tropsch diesel, biomethanol, Pigmenten
lutein, chlorophyll,
fucoxanthin and …
biobutanol and pyrolysis oil.
Vitamins
Vitamins A, B1,
B6, B12, C, E,
Biotin,
nicotinic
acid, folic acid and
riboflavin.
proteins,
amino
acids,
sterols,
antifugal,
antimicrobial and
antiviral agents.
3) Bio-fuels of the third
generation: this generation
includes new developments (+ Other
genetic modifications). This
generation includes the use of
algae to produce bio-fuel. This
biomass has the advantage
that it does not compete with Table 1 useful components from algae
food crops or others.
1
Assignment: Production of algae coupled to anaerobic digestion in a closed vessel system for bio-fuel production.
They are remarkably efficient
biological factories capable of
taking a waste form of carbon
(CO2) and converting it into 
a
high density liquid form of
energy (natural oil). The four

most abundant classes of
micro algae are diatoms
(Bacillariophyceae),
green
algae (Chlorophyceae), bluegreen algae (Cyanophyceae),
and
golden
algae
(Chrysophyceae).
Otherwise, the huge diversity
of microalgae, it is estimated
that approximately 500,000
species of which only 35,000
would consist of known /
described.
The
chemical
composition of microalgae is
not constant and can vary
depending on the species and
growing conditions. This also
means that the desired
products can be obtained by
changing
environmental
factors (growing conditions):
temperature, light, pH, CO2
concentration, salinity and
nutrients
present.
The
composition of the algae’s can
u see in “table 1: useful
components from algae”
Plant source
Biodiesel
(Liter/Ha/year)
soybean
Sunflower
Rapeseed
Oil palm
Algae
(30%
446
952
1.190
5.950
12.000
Triacylglycerids)
Algae
(50%
Triacylglycerids)
98.500
Table 2 Feedstock's
4. Advantages
and
disadvantages
of
using algae.
use of bio-fuel is equal to the
recordings of CO2 during the
growth of the algae.
They can be harvested all
seasons.
They grow on non-can-Arable
land or in Brackish water.
 They can be grown in
fresh or salt water,
contaminated water can
also be used.
 They
are
not
in
competition with crops for
land.
 They grow very quickly 
20 to 30 times faster than
crops. (harvesting cycles of
1-10 days).
 They
are
oil-rich
contains as much as 60%
dry weight in oil or ITS.
 Total
(net)
energy
production is positive.
 Microalgae
oils
per
hectare yield more than
some traditional biodiesel
feedstock’s. see “table 2:
feedstock’s”.
Disadvantages
algae:
of
using
 High
costs
for
separating the algae
and the oil.
 They need nutrients.
 They need to be kept
in a water culture
 The
production
depends
on
the
amount of sunlight the
algae
get
,
this
depends
on
the
geographic location of
the algae culture.
5. Cultivation
methods of algae’s
Photobioreactors (see figure1)
are tubes made of transparent
material (glass or plastic), side
pipes are also summarized.
The tubes are in most cases
placed as vertical columns/in
height increase the surface
algae / increase light capture
per
m²
ground.
A
disadvantage of such systems
is that they need to inject CO2
and
O2
removal.
Pounds open system (open
loop
system)
This is an open system
because it is in contact with
the atmosphere, in addition,
currently most algae on the
market produced by this
system. It is a kind of open
system of shallow channels,
which the water flow is a little
pumped. This is done to
prevent the algae sink making
them less able to do
photosynthesis.
A
disadvantage of open systems
is that, only a limited number
of algal species can be raised
such
as
Chlorella
and
Spirulina, other species are
grown in closed systems.
The above standing methods
are
examples
of
“Photoautotrophic Cultivation”;
here do the algae need
(sun)light to grow. But there is
also a method, where the
algae’s don’t need (sun)light
to grow, but where they use a
carbon source, Such As
sugars, to generate new
biomass. This method is
called Besides " heterotrophic
cultivation ".
Figure 2 Photobioreactor
A) Cultivation methods:
Advantages of using algae:
Photobioreactor (PBR) /
 It is a CO2 neutral process: the
gesloten systeem
amount of CO2 released in the
2
Assignment: Production of algae coupled to anaerobic digestion in a closed vessel system for bio-fuel production.
B) Advantages
and will bind to the algae. In
disadvantages
of addition, the algae can also
closed versus open have biological flocculation
culture systems:
using a co - culture of other
Advantages
of
a
closed organisms
in
terms
of
system
versus
an
open precipitation
promoted.
system:
Besides
sediment
and
 No losses of water by precipitation, the algae can
evaporation.
also collect by using filtration
 Can be placed indoors and / or centrifugation. After
 No contamination of having collected the algae the
the used algal culture are getting dried, by heating
by unknown micro- using an oven or by drying in
organism.
the sun to obtain a high
 Stabile
temperature biomass concentration to
through the day and which the released water and
night.
nutrients are recycled for
 Higher production of another culture.
biomass.
Note: macroalgae algae must
 Carbon
dioxide
is first wash, then crushed and
efficiently incorporated finally
drying.
(because
no
gas
exchange can happen Further
processing
for
to the atmosphere).
production
of
biogas:
 The biogas can be The production of biogas can
collected.
be further divided into four
biological and chemical steps,
Disadvantages of a closed namely
hydrolysis,
system
versus
an
open
acidogenesis,
acetogenesis
system:
and methanogenesis.
 Higher cost (compared
to the open system).
The
remaining
biomass
 You need to inject CO2
consists mainly of long
 The produced oxygen
polymers and thus must first
should be removed
be broken down into smaller
since too high O2
chains by hydrolysis, allowing
content
inhibits
the bacteria to reach the
photosynthesis
and
energy-rich
areas.
Thus,
hence
growth
of
proteins are broken down into
biomass.
amino
acids
and
polysaccharides into simple
6. How
does
the
sugars. After the hydrolysis
production process step occurs acidogenesis
of bio-fuel with with
the
remaining
algae’s occurs?
components are fermented /
General
preparation: degraded
by
acidogenic
The first time that has to be bacteria, into CO2, ammonia
done after the cultivation of and volatie fatty acids.
microalgae is the harvesting
of micro algae. This is done The next step is then
by
precipitating
and/or acetogenesis in which the
flocculation of the microalgae. components formed in the
This can be achieved by acidogenesis step further
adding additives such as processed into acetic acid,
alum, lime, salt and ... which CO2 and H2 by the acetogens
bacteria. Finally, we arrive at
the final step of “Anaerobic
Digestion”
namely
methanogenesis. Here in the
molded products such as
acetate, hydrogen, ammonia,
water and CO2, are converted
into methane gas by the
bacteria
"methane-forming
archaea
(methanogens).
The CO2 released from the
use of the methane gas is/will
bee recycled back into the
system of cultivating a new
culture photosynthetic algae.
For this reason it is very
useful to place algae culture
plant next to a power plant
sites which produced carbon
dioxide
from
energy
production, which can be used
for algae production.
Further
processing
production of bio-fuel:
Should
developed
be
for
further
3
Assignment: Production of algae coupled to anaerobic digestion in a closed vessel system for bio-fuel production.
7. Which species of the location of the culture
algae is the best for plant).
bio-fuel
production?
Microalgae
Lipid
Selecting the (micro) algae
species is best used for biofuel production isn’t simple.
We seek a type of algae that
is rich in oil components,
mainly saturated fatty acids,
also the algae are growing
rapidly and has a high
primary production of oil.
Most common microalgae
(Botryococcus,
Chlamydomonas, Chlorella,
Dunaliella, Neochloris, etc.)
have oil levels Between 20
and 75% by weight of dry
biomass.
They
are
all
potential sources for biodiesel
production. Though we should
note that a lower oil content of
algae grow faster than micro
algae with high oil content.
Thus, micro-algae with a 30%
oil content grow 30 times
faster than micro-algae with
an oil content of 80%. We
may not forget that oil from
micro algae are composed of
unsaturated fatty acids such
as
linolenic
acid,
may
influence the bio-fuel for
example: biodiesel with a high
content
of
unsaturated
sources will oxidizes rapidly
than the conventional diesel,
causing problems with the
diesel engine. Therefore it is
very important to note the
ratio
of
saturated
and
unsaturated fatty acids in
microalgae, though they want
to use as biodiesel feedstock.
In other words, one should
look at various parameters in
selecting a type of algae:
among others on fat content,
growth
rate,
fatty
acid
composition
and
culture
conditions ( determined the
formation of final products and
species
Botryococcus
braunii
Chlorella
emersonii
Zitzschia sp.
Nannochloris
sp.
Pavlova salina
Chlorella sp.
Dunaliella
salina
Euglena
gracilis
content(%dry
weight
biomass)
25 - 75
25 - 63
45 - 47
20 - 56
30
10 - 48
6 - 25
14-20
Table 3 Algae species and there lipid
content
8. Positioning of the
algae research and
applications within
the
bio-energy
field.
Should
developed
be
further
4
Assignment: Production of algae coupled to anaerobic digestion in a closed vessel system for bio-fuel production.
9. Manipulation
of (2007) Reported That They
the
successful
algae to obtain a Reduced
regulation
of
LHCs
in
higher profitability
We may can genetic modify
algae’s for obtaining a higher
yield of biomass and lipid
content. We can do this by
increasing the number of
chloroplasts in the algae by
genetic engineering, or modify
the metabolism (manipulation
of the production of enzymes
for lipid production) which
would increase the efficiency
of photosynthesis or less
sensitive
to
oxygen
concentration causing no
inhibition of photosynthesis
occurs.
We
can
also
potentially increase the growth
rate.
Chlamydomonas
reinhardtii
Photosynthetic efficiency and
for improved light penetration
in liquid culture. The LHC
results tion mutant offerings
more efficient conversion of
solar energy to biomass.
Should
developed
be
further
Most of the work to improve /
increase in yield is mainly
studied by selecting species
(strain improvement) and
adjusting
the
cultivation
techniques.
Genetic
engineering
gets
more
attention only recently begun
to
manipulate
algae.
As already mentioned, we can
increase the efficiency of
photosynthesis. However, the
damage can-Excessive light
photo systems and to trigger
cell
was
photo-protective
Mechanisms That must or
Radiated energy is captured
as heat or fluorescence. In the
interest of engineering a strain
microalgae
to
effectively
capture
light
energy,
researches
focused
on
Reducing the number of lightharvesting
antenna
complexes (LHCs) Which
capture sunlight and transfer
the derived energy to drive
photosynthesis and PSA to
the Photosynthetic Reaction.
For example Mussgnug et al
5
Assignment: Production of algae coupled to anaerobic digestion in a closed vessel system for bio-fuel production.
10. References
19-8-2008a. Algae:Biofuel of the future?, Science Daily.
2008b, Life-Cycle Assessment of BiodieselProduction from Microalgae France.
Microalgae: A promising feedstock for biodiesel. Microalgae: A promising feedstock for
biodiesel , 1. 2009a. African Journal of Microbiology Research.
Ref Type: Journal (Full)
NASA Develops Algae Bioreactor as Sustainable Energy Source-SPX. 24-11-2009b.
Ref Type: Online Source
Algal Oil Yields . 2010.
Ref Type: Online Source
70centsagallon 2010, Algae Photo Bioreactors, Biofuel Technologies, Sarasota,Florida.
A.B.M.Sharif Hossain, Aishah Salleh, Amru Nasrulhaq Boyce, Partha chowdhury, & Mohd
Naqiuddin. Biodiesel fuel Production from Algae us Renewable Energy. American Journal of
Biochemistry and Biotechnology , 250-254. 2008. University of Malaya,Maleysia, 2008
Science Publications.
Ref Type: Journal (Full)
Abayobi O.Alabi & Martin Tambier. Microalgae technologies and processes for
biofuelsbioenergy production in Britisch Columbia. 1-88. 14-1-2009. Columbia, University of
Manitoba.
Ref Type: Online Source
Biocycle Energy 2009, Cultivating Algae in Wastewater for Biofuel, Biocycle Energy.
Bond Beter Leefmilieu. Hernieuwbare Energie. 2010. Bond Beter Leefmilieu.
Ref Type: Online Source
C.G.Golueke, W.J.Oswald, & H.B.Gotaas. Anaerobic Digestion of Algae. Anaerobic
Digestion of Algae , 47-55. 1957. Berkeley,California, Sanitary Engineering Research
Laboraty,Departement of Engineering,University of California,Berkeley,California.
Ref Type: Journal (Full)
Energy Business Daily, 10-3-2010. NASA Develops Algae Bioreactor as a Sustainable
Enegy Source, Energy Business Daily.
Ethan Goffman. Running on Algae. The Environmental Magazine . 2010. The Environmental
Magazine.
Ref Type: Magazine Article
Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB 2010, Microalgae-A
Sustainable Resource for Valuable Compounds and Energy, Fraunhofer Institute for
Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Germany.
Green Futures. Algae biofuels race hots up. Green Futures . 1-10-2009. Environment
Complete Ebsco, PHL Bibliotheek,Online Databanken.
Ref Type: Online Source
6
Assignment: Production of algae coupled to anaerobic digestion in a closed vessel system for bio-fuel production.
Green Peace. Deep Green. 4-11-2008. Green Peace.
Ref Type: Online Source
Jeff Tester & Brian Neltner 2008, Algae Based Biodiesel.
John Ferrell and Valerie Sarisky-Reed, 2008. National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap,
U.S.: Department of Energy ,Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,Office of the
Biomass Program.
Kris De Decker. Biobrandstoffen:Laat de algen met rust. Lowtech Magazine . 6-4-2008.
Lowtech Magazine.
Ref Type: Magazine Article
Lars-Erik Nalson, 12-12-1997. Cutting Through Fog Surrounding Global Warming, Science
Daily.
Liam Brennan & Philip Owende. Biofuels from microalgae-A review of technologies for
production,processing, and extractions of biofuels and co-products. Power Engineering . 2910-2009. Science Direct.
Ref Type: Abstract
Lindsay McGraw. The Ethics of Adaptation and Development of Alage-based Biofuels. 1-83.
14-12-2009.
Ref Type: Case
Maria Ghirardi & Michael Seibert. DIY Algae/Hydrogen Kit. 1995.
Ref Type: Case
Milieu Centraal. Duurzame energiebronnen. 2010.
Ref Type: Online Source
Nick Sazdanoff 2006, Modeling and Simulation of the Algae to Biodiesel Fuel Cycle, The
College of Engineering Honors Commitee,College of Engineering,The Ohio State University,
Departement of Mechanical Engineering The College of Engineering Honors Committee
College of Engineering
122 Hitchcock Hall
The Ohio State University.
Organisatie Duurzame Energie. Bio energie. 2010. 0DE(Organisatie Duurzame EnergieVlaanderen.
Ref Type: Online Source
R.H.Wijffels & M.J.Barbosa. Biodiesel uit algen is haalbaar. 13-8-2010.
Ref Type: Online Source
Rachel Brand. Engines may be powered by biofuel plundered from algae,brewer's CO2. 9-22007.
Ref Type: Online Source
SBAE Industries. SBAE The Algae Company. 2010. Dillenburg,Germany, SBAE-Company.
Ref Type: Online Source
Simon Tanner 2009, Biofuels of the Third Generation-Do Microalgae Solve the Energy
Problem? Germany.
7
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Stephen Mayfield. Genetic Engineering of Algae for Biofuel Production. 1-44. 2010. The
Scripps Research Institute, Department of Cell Biology and The Skaggs Institute for
Chemical Biology
The Scripps Research Institute.
Ref Type: Online Source
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven. Chemische Conversie-Biomassa. 2010.
Eindhoven,Nederland, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven.
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The Warren Centre. Algae Bioreactor to Generate Biofuels from Smokestack CO2. The
Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering . 2006. The Warren Centre for Advanced
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Vlaams Infocentrum voor land- en tuinbouw. Biodiesel uit algen wordt brandstof van de
toekomst. 12-8-2010. Vlaams Infocentrum voor land- en tuinbouw.
Ref Type: Online Source
Wageningen University. Facts on Algae. 2010. Wageningen University.
Ref Type: Online Source
Wout Boerjan. Biobrandstoffen. UGent . 2010. VIB.
Ref Type: Online Source
Yusuf Chisti 2010, Biodiesel from microalgae beatsbioethanol, School of Engineering,
Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand, School of
Engineering, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
8
Assignment: Production of algae coupled to anaerobic digestion in a closed vessel system for bio-fuel production.
datum
10/11/2010
11/11/2010
15/11/2010
16/11/2010
18/11/2010
23/11/2010
25/11/2010
30/11/2010
2/12/2010
3/12/2010
7/12/2010
9/12/2010
14/12/2010
16/12/2010
16/12/2010
23/12/2010
activity
hand in temporary interim report
General meeting + last correction of the interim report (if
necessary)
hand in final interim report
General meeting with the students of Helha
Further processing Task:
 Manipulation of algae to obtain a higher profitability
 Positioning of the algae research and applications within the
bio-energy field
 How does the production process of bio-fuel with algae’s
occurs?
General meeting
General meeting with the students of Helha
 Discussion on the state of affairs.
General meeting
General meeting with the students of Helha
General meeting
hand in temporary Final Report
General meeting with the students of Helha
General meeting + Last corrections of the Final report
General meeting with the students of Helha + preparation of the
presentation
hand in Final Report
General meeting + Presentation practice
Presentation (given by Elke Knoops and Jonathan Wauthier)
We zitten tot nu toe goed op schema, we hoeven nog enkel punten verder en dieper
uitwerken. Verder moeten ook nog de referenties geplaatst worden onder ieder puntje
afzonderlijk.
9