Biofules
Title
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this experiment is to find an alternate fuel source that is more renewable that petroleum yet requires little change to the currently existing fuel infrastructure. An important part of any alternative fuel is that it must be cheaper to mass produce than gasoline or else it has lost a major advantage over petroleum. A promising alternative fuel source is biodiesel. Unlike ethanol, biodiesel can be used as a blend or pure biodiesel in standard diesel engines with little to no adaptations. It also burns a lot cleaner than petro diesel and can extend the life of the engine drastically.
Procedure
Biodiesel is very versatile and can be produced from many different things. In most cases biodiesel can be produced by transesterification of free fatty acids in which a catalyst sodium hydroxide is mixed with an alcohol such as methanol or ethanol, washed, and separated into biodiesel and glycerol. For this project biodiesel from cyanobacteria will be investigated.
Conclusion
In the end the goal is to improve the growth rate based on lighting, temperature, and nutrients. It would also be helpful to find a better carbon dioxide delivery system lowering fuel cost and increasing fuel production rate.
Acknowledgements
Purpose
The purpose of this experiment is to find a reliable fuel source that was the capabilities to fit to out fuel demand of almost 17 billion barrels of oil a year. Algae are quite easily grown year round whether it is outside or in an indoor facility and can grow in practically any part of the world. Theoretically algae have the capabilities to meet our oil demand better than most green fuels being research today. The most important thing in order to obtain high algae yields is the light source, light exposure, nutrients and carbon dioxide levels. In this experiment light sources, nutrient sources, and carbon dioxide delivery systems will be tested to see which is the most effective. The expected
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this experiment is to find an alternate fuel source that is more renewable that petroleum yet requires little change to the currently existing fuel infrastructure. An important part of any alternative fuel is that it must be cheaper to mass produce than gasoline or else it has lost a major advantage over petroleum. A promising alternative fuel source is biodiesel. Unlike ethanol, biodiesel can be used as a blend or pure biodiesel in standard diesel engines with little to no adaptations. It also burns a lot cleaner than petro diesel and can extend the life of the engine drastically.
Procedure
Biodiesel is very versatile and can be produced from many different things. In most cases biodiesel can be produced by transesterification of free fatty acids in which a catalyst sodium hydroxide is mixed with an alcohol such as methanol or ethanol, washed, and separated into biodiesel and glycerol. For this project biodiesel from cyanobacteria will be investigated.
Conclusion
In the end the goal is to improve the growth rate based on lighting, temperature, and nutrients. It would also be helpful to find a better carbon dioxide delivery system lowering fuel cost and increasing fuel production rate.
Acknowledgements
Purpose
The purpose of this experiment is to find a reliable fuel source that was the capabilities to fit to out fuel demand of almost 17 billion barrels of oil a year. Algae are quite easily grown year round whether it is outside or in an indoor facility and can grow in practically any part of the world. Theoretically algae have the capabilities to meet our oil demand better than most green fuels being research today. The most important thing in order to obtain high algae yields is the light source, light exposure, nutrients and carbon dioxide levels. In this experiment light sources, nutrient sources, and carbon dioxide delivery systems will be tested to see which is the most effective. The expected