Monday, June 20, 2011

What is Algae Fuel and Its Derivatives

Algae fuel is derived from algae and it is an alternative source to the fuel derived from fossils. They do not reduce the carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere but they reduce the introduction of new CO2 by displacing fossil hydrocarbon fuels. Several companies and many government agencies are making efforts to reduce the capital and operating costs and make algae fuel production commercially viable. Following are the derivatives of the algae fuel:

Bio diesel:

Some species of algae can produce up to 60 percent of their dry weight in the form of oil. Micro algae are also capable of producing high amount of biomass and usable oil because they grow in aqueous suspension, where they have more efficient access to water, CO2 and dissolved nutrients. Further this oil is turned in to bio diesel which can be used in automobiles.

Biobutanol:

Biobutanol has an energy density 10 percent less than gasoline and greater than that of methanol or ethanol and in most of the gasoline engines Butanol can be used in place of gasoline with no modifications. This fuel can be derived from the algae by using inky solar powered bio refinery.

Methane:

Methane is a form of natural gas and it can be produced from algae through different methods which includes Gasification, pyrolysis and aerobic digestion.

Bio gasoline:

It is a type of gasoline produced from biomass such as algae, and it contains 6 to 12 carbon atoms per molecule. It can be used in internal combustion engines.

Jet Fuel:

The International Air Transport Association, supports research, development and deployment of algal fuels. The algae fuels are processed through various stages to make it suitable enough to run an airplane.

Algae fuels are becoming more popular as these will reduce the dependency on fossil fuels. Algae fuels are more eco friendly.


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