1 research outputs found
Commercial-Scale Biodiesel Production from Algae
This article evaluates pathways to
cost-effective production of
biofuels at a commercial scale. A thermodynamic cultivation model
was simulated using Aspen Plus V7.3.1 and used to predict the area
required for algae growth. This model was combined with the most promising
commercial-scale methods to harvest algae and extract the oil. Conversion
experiments were conducted using oil extracted from <i>Nannochloropsis
salina</i> algae, which was grown in salt water by Solix Biofuels.
Glycerolysis was performed to reduce the free fatty-acid content of
the oils. Transesterification was then carried out using a solid catalyst.
Rate constants were regressed to adapt kinetic models to the rate
data, which allowed the glycerolysis/transesterification process to
be simulated using Aspen Plus V7.3.1. Cost estimates from the Aspen
Process Economic Analyzer (APEA) were combined with industrial quotes
and literature data. A cash flow analysis was performed for the entire
carbon sequestration-to-biodiesel production train, yielding a biodiesel
selling price of $4.34/gal. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was performed
to examine the impact of various costing parameters on the viability
of the process. These analyses show that the current bottlenecks for
the large-scale production of biodiesel are cultivation techniques
and extraction operations