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Biofuel Production From Microalgae Challenges and Chances

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AJITH kumar
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17 views8 pages

Biofuel Production From Microalgae Challenges and Chances

Uploaded by

AJITH kumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Biofuel Production from

Microalgae: Challenges
and Chances
This presentation explores the potential of microalgae as a
sustainable source of biofuels, examining the challenges and
opportunities that lie ahead for this promising technology.

Dr. P. Varalakshmi
Introduction: Microalgae Biofuels in a
Changing World
The Need for Sustainable Energy Third-Generation Biofuels

The world faces growing energy demands alongside Microalgae-based biofuels, considered third-generation,
resource depletion and climate change. Microalgae hold promise as they utilize sunlight and CO2, unlike
offer a renewable, clean energy solution through food crops that compete for resources.
biofuel production.
Microalgae: Properties and
CO2 Fixation Capacity
High Chlorophyll Metabolic Versatility
Concentration
Microalgae can be
Microalgae exhibit higher processed into various
chlorophyll concentrations value-added products,
than land plants, enabling including biofuels, food
efficient photosynthesis supplements, and
and carbon fixation. pharmaceuticals.

Exceptional CO2 Fixation


Microalgae demonstrate a remarkable ability to capture and
store CO2, making them a key component in addressing
climate change.
Critical Route for Biofuel Production from
Microalgae

1 Microalgae Cultivation

2 Biomass Harvesting

3 Pretreatment

4 Conversion

The process involves cultivating microalgae, harvesting the biomass, pretreating it, and then converting it into
different biofuels through various thermochemical and biochemical methods.
Thermochemical Conversion: Utilizing Heat for
Biofuel Production
Liquefaction Pyrolysis Gasification
Microalgae biomass can be This method involves heating Biomass is heated at high
converted to bio-oil through biomass in the absence of oxygen, temperatures under low-oxygen
liquefaction, a process occurring yielding bio-oil, syngas, and conditions, producing a
at low temperatures and high charcoal. combustible gas mixture known as
pressures. syngas.
Biochemical Conversion: Harnessing
Microbes for Biofuel Production

Anaerobic Digestion
Microbes break down microalgae biomass, producing biogas, primarily composed of methane
and carbon dioxide.

Fermentation
Sugars from microalgae biomass are converted into bio-alcohol, such as ethanol and butanol,
through fermentation processes.

Biohydrogen Production
Microbes produce biohydrogen, a clean and sustainable fuel source, through various biological methods.
Chemical Conversion:
Transforming Microalgae
Oils to Biodiesel
Microalgae oils require transesterification to lower viscosity before
use as fuels. This process involves reacting microalgae oil with an
alcohol, like methanol, in the presence of a catalyst. The resulting
biodiesel is then blended with conventional fuels.
Bottlenecks, Challenges, and Prospects for
the Future
While promising, microalgae biofuels face challenges related to cost, efficiency, and large-scale production.
Continued research and development are crucial to overcome these hurdles and achieve widespread adoption.

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