Green Algae Strategy Products - Biofuels

Biofuels

Biofuels presents an interesting value proposition for algae because various algae species display different lengths of hydrocarbon bonds that determine the energy value of the lipids produced. The longer length hydrocarbon bonds produce more energy. In addition, some algae species produce lipids and 20% of biomass range while others produce over 60%lipids.

Corn produces short length hydrocarbons that burn with only 64% of the energy produced from gasoline. Many species of algae produce longer chained hydrocarbons which burn hotter and can be processed into fuel products that yield MPG of 30 to 50% higher than gasoline.

Algae lipids can be processed to create a wide variety of biofuels including ethanol, methane, gasoline, green diesel, hydrogen and jet fuel. Various production scenarios can also create hydrogen as a byproduct of algae growth and production.

The combination of long hydrocarbon chains, explosive growth and high lipid content make algae an ideal production model for biofuels. The biofuel product mix includes:

•	Ethanol – matches the current weak additive derived from corn

•	Methanol – another relatively weak alcohol

•	Gasoline – fits into the current model for propelling vehicles

•	Green or biodiesel – runs directly in existing diesel cars and trucks and other vehicles and produces a near zero carbon footprint

•	Jet fuel – enables commercial and private planes and military  planes, ships, trucks and tanks to operate very demanding motors in extremely high and low temperatures

•	Hydrogen – may provide a solution for fuel cells and high efficiency transportation

Most companies in the algae biofuel industry are targeting the production of biodiesel because it is an environmentally friendly fuel as it reduces CO2 emissions and generates less particulate matter than fossil fuels. Green diesel can fuel diesel vehicles directly with no conversion as is required with ethanol.

Biodiesel is made by converting bio-oil feedstock such as algae oil through a simple chemical process called transesterification. The vast majority of U.S. biodiesel today is created from soy oil. Other common feedstocks include canola, palm and waste recycled cooking oil. The variety of the algae biofuel mix makes commercial scale algae production critical for the success of continued U.S. aviation and military. DARPA has recognized the critical need for aviation fuels and has a request for proposal out to potential algae jet fuel providers for low cost production of jet fuel from algae near military bases globally.

Biofuels made from algae or other feedstocks are unlikely to be produced at a lower cost than solar, wind, waves, geothermal and other renewable sources of energy that create electricity. However, the world will have the continued need for liquid fuels for surface, ocean and air transportation. Algae biofuels can provide a substantial component of this need.

After the lipids are extracted, the remaining algae biomass offers substantial value, especially for medicines, vaccines, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and fertilizers.