Dec 21 2009
“Algae: Emerging Options for Sustainable Biofuels” is a study recently published by Nexant. This study analyzes the full range of algae technology including a number of global participants. Different technical ideas for utilizing algae are examined in this study. This includes the utilization of algae from open ponds to closed reactors. The various technical measures are based on sugar feedstock and carbon dioxide photosynthesis.
This study has analysed a number of fuel products that include ethanol, biodiesel and methane along with a variety of services and co-products that include water treatment, carbon dioxide recycling of fuels, fertilizers, nutraceuticals, feeds and foods.
For many decades, engineering and scientific study was conducted on the varied types of algae production for fuels and other purposes, though a great number of practical and technical difficulties were quite evident.
Nexant in this study has examined the quality of fuel products made from algal oil such as jet fuel, diesel, alcohols and other oils. Specialty chemicals co-production from various biomass components and lipids are examined in this study.
The study analyzes various algae growing systems and the sugar-fed growth of algae in non-photosynthetic closed systems. Bio-prospecting and trans-genomic research and developments in biotechnology for microalgae are also a part of this study conducted by Nexant.
Nexant had studied the integration of algal with generators of concentrated streams of carbon dioxide that include large industrial sources such as cement plants, power plants, gasifiers, hydrocarbon reformers, petrochemicals, fermentations and hydrocarbon. Different oil harvesting approaches through the usage of oil-release algae, extracting oils and dewatering algae are highlighted in this study.
Government policies, drivers for development and programs that affect the development of algae systems are examined in this study. Nexant through this study identifies, outlines and examines the present progress and prospects of leading public and private entities in this field. Since algae can make good jet fuel, it can be used in airlines and air forces to reduce carbon footprints. Manufactures of renewable chemical and polymer will require the non-food and sustainable feedstock obtained from algae.