Bioenergy: Refueling the Future

The U.S. Navy and Marines go Green!
 The Third Generation:  Algal Fuel

Algal fuel is the third generation of biofuels.  According to U.S. Department of Energy, algal oil can yield up to 30 times more energy per acre than land crops like soybeans.  Algae can be used to produce vegetable oil, bioethanol, biomethanol, biobutanol , biodiesel, an other biofuels.  [6.1]

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[6.2]

The Algae to Biodiesel Process
  1.  A specific species of micro algae are grown.
  2. They are harvested and the oil is extracted.
  3. The oil is processed into biodiesel.
  4. The biodiesel is shipped out for use in cars, planes, ships, and even tanks for the military!  [6.1]

[6.3]

The benefits of Algae over previous generations:
  • It's currently one of the most researched topics.  This means algae fuel can become even more efficient than it already is.  This also means that there will be new, more practical methods for growing and processing algae.
  • Recent advances in oil extraction can lower the price of producing biodiesel from algae oils.
  • Algae is not a food crop.  Therefore is does not compete with food consumption.
  • Although algae does not reduced carbon emissions, it does stop the introduction of new carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, because it would displace the use of fossil fuels.
  • Algae can be grown in sea water.  Therefore algae farms do not have to compete with agricultural farmland.
  • Algae can be grown in sewage and waste water.  This can be used as an alternative water treatment method.  This method is cost effective.  It requires a low amount of energy.  It reduces sludge, and in the end, it cleans the water and it produces algae for biofuel use.
[6.4]

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