Microalgae are promising organisms for producing bio-fuels and bio-materials in a sustainable way. These microorganisms are photosynthetic, have minimal nutrient requirements and are capable of fixing carbon dioxide and converting it into lipids and other bio-materials. However, substantial R&D work is still required for making algae bio-fuels competitive with fossil fuels. Computer simulation provides an effective way to understand the requirements of a process in terms of equipment, raw materials, support utility systems, etc. With this information, the capital and operating costs associated with the process can be estimated. In addition, the key parameters that have a major impact on cost and product yield can be readily identified. The findings from such analyses can be used to focus further R&D studies in order to optimize the critical steps of a process. The ability to experiment with alternative process setups and operating conditions using a computer model reduces the costly and time-consuming laboratory and pilot plant effort. This paper presents the results from such an analysis for the production and purification of algal oil which can be readily converted into biodiesel.

Large scale algal oil production for biofuel use: Techno-economic analysis and evaluation

249th National Meeting (2015)

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