Using Industrial Waste for Low-cost Algae Biofuel Production

Algae-biofuel is fuel derived from algae. Algae can convert CO₂ into lipids, using sunlight and water. This production can also be enhanced using nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. Some of the useful features of algae biofuel include,

They do not affect fresh water resources
Ocean water and waste water can be used in the production
Biodegradable and not very harmful to the environment if spilled

So then why isn’t production scaled up?

Due to some inherent problems in production. Currently, these fuels remain too expensive to replace other commercially available fuels. Abundant sources of CO₂ and other nutrients are not readily available in most places. And even if they were it would still be too expensive to purchase algae biofuels at market prices.

So what’s the solution?

Some scientists and researchers have suggested co-location as a possible solution to this problem.

What is Co-location

What co-location refers to here is the placing of algae operations adjacent to industries that can provide one or more of the nutrient sources required in the production of algae biofuels. In even simpler terms, use the waste from other industries into a resource for algae fuel production. This could also help solve the waste problem for some of those industries and that’s an additional advantage.

For example…

Consider a coal-fired power plant. In most countries most of the electricity used is generated by such plants. However they are taking a lot of stick these days due to their assault on the environment.

So rather than spending millions to sequester the CO₂ emanating from those smokestacks why not sell it cheaply to an adjacent algae facility that uses this CO₂ to produce more energy?

Cement plants are also a similar source of large amounts of CO₂ emissions.

Furthermore…

A different scenario would be locating algae facilities near municipal wastewater treatment plants.

Waste water from these plants even after treatment contain too much nitrogen and phosphorous. Algae however thrive on these nutrients. Wouldn’t this be so much more feasible than purchasing fertilizer separately for the production of algae biofuels?

The benefits of co-location do not end there…

Plant matter that remains after algae are harvested for their lipids, can be processed into animal feed or converted into a syrupy liquid referred to as ‘bioleum’ that can be burned like oil.