IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v5y2012i6p1943-1981d18443.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Comprehensive Evaluation of Algal Biofuel Production: Experimental and Target Results

Author

Listed:
  • Colin M. Beal

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, C2200, Austin, TX 78712, USA
    The Center for Electromechanics, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, R7000, Austin, TX 78712, USA)

  • Robert E. Hebner

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, C2200, Austin, TX 78712, USA
    The Center for Electromechanics, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, R7000, Austin, TX 78712, USA)

  • Michael E. Webber

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, C2200, Austin, TX 78712, USA
    Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, C9000, Austin, TX 78712, USA)

  • Rodney S. Ruoff

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, C2200, Austin, TX 78712, USA
    Texas Materials Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, C2201, Austin, TX 78712, USA)

  • A. Frank Seibert

    (Center for Energy and Environmental Resources, Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, R7100, Austin, TX 78712, USA)

  • Carey W. King

    (Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, C9000, Austin, TX 78712, USA)

Abstract

Worldwide, algal biofuel research and development efforts have focused on increasing the competitiveness of algal biofuels by increasing the energy and financial return on investments, reducing water intensity and resource requirements, and increasing algal productivity. In this study, analyses are presented in each of these areas—costs, resource needs, and productivity—for two cases: (1) an Experimental Case , using mostly measured data for a lab-scale system, and (2) a theorized Highly Productive Case that represents an optimized commercial-scale production system, albeit one that relies on full-price water, nutrients, and carbon dioxide. For both cases, the analysis described herein concludes that the energy and financial return on investments are less than 1, the water intensity is greater than that for conventional fuels, and the amounts of required resources at a meaningful scale of production amount to significant fractions of current consumption (e.g., nitrogen). The analysis and presentation of results highlight critical areas for advancement and innovation that must occur for sustainable and profitable algal biofuel production can occur at a scale that yields significant petroleum displacement. To this end, targets for energy consumption, production cost, water consumption, and nutrient consumption are presented that would promote sustainable algal biofuel production. Furthermore, this work demonstrates a procedure and method by which subsequent advances in technology and biotechnology can be framed to track progress.

Suggested Citation

  • Colin M. Beal & Robert E. Hebner & Michael E. Webber & Rodney S. Ruoff & A. Frank Seibert & Carey W. King, 2012. "Comprehensive Evaluation of Algal Biofuel Production: Experimental and Target Results," Energies, MDPI, vol. 5(6), pages 1-39, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:5:y:2012:i:6:p:1943-1981:d:18443
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/5/6/1943/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/5/6/1943/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sturm, Belinda S.M. & Lamer, Stacey L., 2011. "An energy evaluation of coupling nutrient removal from wastewater with algal biomass production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(10), pages 3499-3506.
    2. Pate, Ron & Klise, Geoff & Wu, Ben, 2011. "Resource demand implications for US algae biofuels production scale-up," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(10), pages 3377-3388.
    3. Cleveland, Cutler J. & Kaufmann, Robert K. & Stern, David I., 2000. "Aggregation and the role of energy in the economy," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 301-317, February.
    4. Harto, Christopher & Meyers, Robert & Williams, Eric, 2010. "Life cycle water use of low-carbon transport fuels," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(9), pages 4933-4944, September.
    5. Brennan, Liam & Owende, Philip, 2010. "Biofuels from microalgae--A review of technologies for production, processing, and extractions of biofuels and co-products," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(2), pages 557-577, February.
    6. Editorial Article, 0. "The Information for Authors," Economics of Contemporary Russia, Regional Public Organization for Assistance to the Development of Institutions of the Department of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, issue 2.
    7. Cleveland, Cutler J., 2005. "Net energy from the extraction of oil and gas in the United States," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 30(5), pages 769-782.
    8. Editorial Article, 0. "The Information for Authors," Economics of Contemporary Russia, Regional Public Organization for Assistance to the Development of Institutions of the Department of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, issue 4.
    9. Editorial Article, 0. "The Information for Authors," Economics of Contemporary Russia, Regional Public Organization for Assistance to the Development of Institutions of the Department of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, issue 3.
    10. Editorial Article, 0. "The Information for Authors," Economics of Contemporary Russia, Regional Public Organization for Assistance to the Development of Institutions of the Department of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, issue 1.
    11. Editorial Article, 0. "The Information for Authors," Economics of Contemporary Russia, Regional Public Organization for Assistance to the Development of Institutions of the Department of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, issue 4.
    12. Philip F. Henshaw & Carey King & Jay Zarnikau, 2011. "System Energy Assessment (SEA), Defining a Standard Measure of EROI for Energy Businesses as Whole Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 3(10), pages 1-36, October.
    13. Davis, Ryan & Aden, Andy & Pienkos, Philip T., 2011. "Techno-economic analysis of autotrophic microalgae for fuel production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(10), pages 3524-3531.
    14. Subhadra, Bobban G. & Edwards, Mark, 2011. "Coproduct market analysis and water footprint of simulated commercial algal biorefineries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(10), pages 3515-3523.
    15. Meng, Xin & Yang, Jianming & Xu, Xin & Zhang, Lei & Nie, Qingjuan & Xian, Mo, 2009. "Biodiesel production from oleaginous microorganisms," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 1-5.
    16. Editorial Article, 0. "The Information for Authors," Economics of Contemporary Russia, Regional Public Organization for Assistance to the Development of Institutions of the Department of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, issue 3.
    17. Editorial Article, 0. "The Information for Authors," Economics of Contemporary Russia, Regional Public Organization for Assistance to the Development of Institutions of the Department of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, issue 2.
    18. Kadam, K.L, 2002. "Environmental implications of power generation via coal-microalgae cofiring," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 27(10), pages 905-922.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Nwoba, Emeka G. & Parlevliet, David A. & Laird, Damian W. & Alameh, Kamal & Louveau, Julien & Pruvost, Jeremy & Moheimani, Navid R., 2020. "Energy efficiency analysis of outdoor standalone photovoltaic-powered photobioreactors coproducing lipid-rich algal biomass and electricity," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    2. Cai, Ting & Park, Stephen Y. & Li, Yebo, 2013. "Nutrient recovery from wastewater streams by microalgae: Status and prospects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 19(C), pages 360-369.
    3. Swathi Somaiyan Babu & Rashmi Gondi & Godvin Sharmila Vincent & Godwin Christopher JohnSamuel & Rajesh Banu Jeyakumar, 2022. "Microalgae Biomass and Lipids as Feedstock for Biofuels: Sustainable Biotechnology Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-31, November.
    4. Walsh, Michael J. & Gerber Van Doren, Léda & Shete, Nilam & Prakash, Akshay & Salim, Usama, 2018. "Financial tradeoffs of energy and food uses of algal biomass under stochastic conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 591-603.
    5. Bradley, Tom & Maga, Daniel & Antón, Sara, 2015. "Unified approach to Life Cycle Assessment between three unique algae biofuel facilities," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 1052-1061.
    6. Oncel, Suphi S., 2013. "Microalgae for a macroenergy world," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 241-264.
    7. Alaswad, A. & Dassisti, M. & Prescott, T. & Olabi, A.G., 2015. "Technologies and developments of third generation biofuel production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 1446-1460.
    8. Maity, Jyoti Prakash & Bundschuh, Jochen & Chen, Chien-Yen & Bhattacharya, Prosun, 2014. "Microalgae for third generation biofuel production, mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and wastewater treatment: Present and future perspectives – A mini review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 104-113.
    9. Neto, Ana Maria Pereira & Sotana de Souza, Rafael Augusto & Leon-Nino, Amanda Denisse & da Costa, Joana D'arc Aparecida & Tiburcio, Rodolfo Sbrolini & Nunes, Thaís Abreu & Sellare de Mello, Thaís Cris, 2013. "Improvement in microalgae lipid extraction using a sonication-assisted method," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 525-531.
    10. Wang, Songmei & Zhu, Johnny & Dai, Lingmei & Zhao, Xuebing & Liu, Dehua & Du, Wei, 2016. "A novel process on lipid extraction from microalgae for biodiesel production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P1), pages 963-968.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Kritana Prueksakorn & Cheng-Xu Piao & Hyunchul Ha & Taehyeung Kim, 2015. "Computational and Experimental Investigation for an Optimal Design of Industrial Windows to Allow Natural Ventilation during Wind-Driven Rain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(8), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Hualin Xie & Jinlang Zou & Hailing Jiang & Ning Zhang & Yongrok Choi, 2014. "Spatiotemporal Pattern and Driving Forces of Arable Land-Use Intensity in China: Toward Sustainable Land Management Using Emergy Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(6), pages 1-17, May.
    3. Stephan E. Maurer & Andrei V. Potlogea, 2021. "Male‐biased Demand Shocks and Women's Labour Force Participation: Evidence from Large Oil Field Discoveries," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 88(349), pages 167-188, January.
    4. Tie Hua Zhou & Ling Wang & Keun Ho Ryu, 2015. "Supporting Keyword Search for Image Retrieval with Integration of Probabilistic Annotation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-18, May.
    5. T. Karski, 2019. "Opinions and Controversies in Problem of The So-Called Idiopathic Scoliosis. Information About Etiology, New Classification and New Therapy," Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, Biomedical Research Network+, LLC, vol. 12(5), pages 9612-9616, January.
    6. Sung-Won Park & Sung-Yong Son, 2017. "Cost Analysis for a Hybrid Advanced Metering Infrastructure in Korea," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-18, September.
    7. Wesley Mendes-da-Silva, 2020. "What Makes an Article be More Cited?," RAC - Revista de Administração Contemporânea (Journal of Contemporary Administration), ANPAD - Associação Nacional de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Administração, vol. 24(6), pages 507-513.
    8. Martin Valtierra-Rodriguez & Juan Pablo Amezquita-Sanchez & Arturo Garcia-Perez & David Camarena-Martinez, 2019. "Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition on FPGA for Condition Monitoring of Broken Bars in Induction Motors," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 7(9), pages 1-19, August.
    9. Akca Yasar & Gokhan Ozer, 2016. "Determination the Factors that Affect the Use of Enterprise Resource Planning Information System through Technology Acceptance Model," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(10), pages 1-91, September.
    10. Julián Miranda & Angélica Flórez & Gustavo Ospina & Ciro Gamboa & Carlos Flórez & Miguel Altuve, 2020. "Proposal for a System Model for Offline Seismic Event Detection in Colombia," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-17, December.
    11. Wisdom Akpalu & Mintewab Bezabih, 2015. "Tenure Insecurity, Climate Variability and Renting out Decisions among Female Small-Holder Farmers in Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-16, June.
    12. Wei Chen & Shu-Yu Liu & Chih-Han Chen & Yi-Shan Lee, 2011. "Bounded Memory, Inertia, Sampling and Weighting Model for Market Entry Games," Games, MDPI, vol. 2(1), pages 1-13, March.
    13. David Harborth & Sebastian Pape, 2020. "Empirically Investigating Extraneous Influences on the “APCO” Model—Childhood Brand Nostalgia and the Positivity Bias," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-16, December.
    14. Ping Wang & Jie Wang & Guiwu Wei & Cun Wei, 2019. "Similarity Measures of q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy Sets Based on Cosine Function and Their Applications," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-23, April.
    15. Peterson, Willis L., 1973. "Publication Productivities Of U.S. Economics Department Graduates," Staff Papers 14105, University of Minnesota, Department of Applied Economics.
    16. Taeyeoun Roh & Yujin Jeong & Byungun Yoon, 2017. "Developing a Methodology of Structuring and Layering Technological Information in Patent Documents through Natural Language Processing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-19, November.
    17. He-Yau Kang & Amy H. I. Lee & Tzu-Ting Huang, 2016. "Project Management for a Wind Turbine Construction by Applying Fuzzy Multiple Objective Linear Programming Models," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-15, December.
    18. Vasilyeva, Olga, 2021. "Agro-food clusters in the Republic of Kazakhstan: assessment and prospects of development," Economic Consultant, Roman I. Ostapenko, vol. 34(2), pages 13-20.
    19. Chris Lytridis & Anna Lekova & Christos Bazinas & Michail Manios & Vassilis G. Kaburlasos, 2020. "WINkNN: Windowed Intervals’ Number kNN Classifier for Efficient Time-Series Applications," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-14, March.
    20. Richard J. Ciotola & Jay F. Martin & Juan M. Castańo & Jiyoung Lee & Frederick Michel, 2013. "Microbial Community Response to Seasonal Temperature Variation in a Small-Scale Anaerobic Digester," Energies, MDPI, vol. 6(10), pages 1-18, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:5:y:2012:i:6:p:1943-1981:d:18443. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.