Algae: Fuel For Our Future

Taylor Dellastatious PfaffIDST 300: Biotechnology, Dr. Ressler

January 19, 2011

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Table of Contents

Algae Basics

How It’s Used

Methods of Production

Risks and Benefits of Algal Fuels

Christian Theology Worldview and Ethicality

Fig 1.1 – Algae Under A MicroscopeVG Energy, Inc. "Algae Based BioFuel Products Based on Metabolic Disruption." VG Energy,Inc.: Algae Biofuel Research & Development. VG Energy, Inc, 3 Jan. 2011. Web. 09 Jan.2011. <http://www.vgenergy.org/technology.php>.

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Algae Basics

Algae is a simple, eukaryotic organism It can be found around the globe, both in salt water

and fresh water Algae is autotrophic and photosynthetic Like other simple-celled organisms, algae utilizes

lipids for energy

Figure 1.2 – Algae As A Single CellBiello, David. "Powering Our Automotive Future with Pond Scum."  Scientific American.Scientific American, a Division of Nature America, Inc., 23 Sept. 2008. Web. 08 Jan.2011. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=powering-automotive-futurewith-pond-scum>.

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How to Produce Algal Fuels

Algae can be genetically engineered to create bio-kerosene Bio-kerosene can be used as a renewable form of

fuel

Start processes with microinjection

There are two processes to create algae as fuel Closed-tank method Open-tank method

Figure 1.3 – Algae Being Filtered Into TanksBullis, Kevin. "A New Bloom For Algae." Technology Review: The Authority on theFuture of Technology. Massachusetts Institution of Technology, 2 July 2010. Web. 09Jan. 2011. <http://www.technologyreview.com/ energy/25695/page1/>.

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Closed-Tank Method

Dark tanks used for holding algae Doesn’t involve photosynthesis Use of biomass Produces algal oil which can be refined into bio-

kerosene

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Open-Tank Method

Algae held in open tank system outdoors Manipulation of lipid production

Microinjection of inhibitor molecules Harvest algae out of ponds Refining of bio-kerosene

Figure 1.4 – Open Tank of AlgaeAlgae Industry Magazine, Inc. "Benefits of GE Guidelines for the Algae Industry." AlgaeIndustry Magazine. AlgaeIndustryMagazine.com, 10 Nov. 2010. Web. 09 Jan. 2011.<http://www.algaeindustrymagazine.com/benefits-of-ge-guidelines-for-the-algaeindustry/>.

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Risks Involved With Algal Fuels

Very minimal risks involved Potential creation of “super-algae” Spread of algae around the globe Invasive species in large tanks Potential changes within the tank system High primary investment

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Benefits of Algal Fuels

Several outstanding benefits Availability of algae Reducing pollution High yield of the product Replacement of hazardous fuels

Figure 1.5 – Algae To Clean Up PollutantsBiello, David. " NASA Aims for Future Fuel from Algae-Filled Bags of Sewage." ScientificAmerican. Scientific American, a Division of Nature America, Inc.,12 May 2009. Web. 09 Jan. 2011. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=jet-fuel-from-algae-passes-first te-2008-09-09>.

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Christian Theology Worldview

Why bio-kerosene is ethical for Christians: Doesn’t harm organisms As stewards, we need to change atmosphere and

environment Need to change our future with renewable fuels

No problems with human dignity

Since there aren’t any ethical issues expect to see more use of algal fuels in the future

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Works Cited and Consulted

Algae Industry Magazine, Inc. "Benefits of GE Guidelines for the Algae Industry." AlgaeIndustry Magazine. AlgaeIndustryMagazine.com, 10 Nov. 2010. Web. 09 Jan. 2011.<http://www.algaeindustrymagazine.com/benefits-of-ge-guidelines-for-the-algaeindustry/>.

Algae Industry Magazine, Inc. "Abundant Agriculture: Sustainable Carbon-Neutral Food and Energy." Algae Industry Magazine. AlgaeIndustryMagazine.com, 10 Nov. 2010. Web. 02 Jan. 2011.< http://www.algaeindustrymagazine.com/algae-101-part-20-abundant-agriculture/>

Anderson, Mitchell. "Has VG Energy Stumbled on the Elusive Algae “Lipid Trigger”?". Energy Boom, Co., 9 Dec. 2010. Web. 09 Jan. 2011. <http://www.energyboom.com/biofuels/hasvg-energy-stumbled-elusive-“lipid-trigger”>.

Associated Press. "The Oil Industry: Beyond the Black Stuff." The Economist Online. The Economist, Inc., 4 Feb. 2010. Web. 09 Jan. 2011.<http://www.economist.com/node/15473681>.

Associated Press. "Will Pond Scum Become the New Oil?" CNN Tech News. Cable News Network, 30 July 2008. Web. 10 Jan. 2011. <http://articles.cnn.com/2008-07-30/tech roadtrips.algae.fuel_1_algae-biofuel-pond-scum?_s=PM:TECH>.

Biello, David. "Jet Fuel From Algae Passes First Test." Scientific American. Scientific American,a Division of Nature America, Inc., 9 Sept. 2008. Web. 09 Jan. 2011.<http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=jet-fuel-from-algae-passes-firstte-2008-09-09>.

Biello, David. "Powering Our Automotive Future with Pond Scum."  Scientific American.Scientific American, a Division of Nature America, Inc., 23 Sept. 2008. Web. 08 Jan.2011. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=powering-automotive-futurewith-pond-scum>.

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Works Cited and Consulted

Biello, David. " NASA Aims for Future Fuel from Algae-Filled Bags of Sewage." Scientific American. Scientific American, a Division of Nature America, Inc.,12 May 2009. Web. 09 Jan. 2011. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=jet-fuel-from-algae-passes-first te-2008-09-09>.

Bullis, Kevin. "A New Bloom For Algae." Technology Review: The Authority on the Future of Technology. Massachusetts Institution of Technology, 2 July 2010. Web. 09 Jan. 2011. <http://www.technologyreview.com/ energy/25695/page1/>.

Castor Oil, Inc. "Biodiesel from Algae." Castor Oil Industry. Castor Oil, Inc., 2006. Web. 09 Jan. 2011. <http://www.castoroil.in/reference/plant_oils/uses/fuel/sources/algae/biodiesel_algae.html>.

Department of Energy and Climate Change. "Carbon Neutrality." Home for the Department ofEnergy and Climate Change UK. Department of Energy and Climate Change UK, Oct.2009. Web. 10 Jan. 2011. <http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/lc_uk/neutrality/neutrality.aspx>

Duncan, David Ewing. "Big Oil Turns to Algae." Technology Review: The Authority on theFuture of Technology. Massachusetts Institution of Technology, 22 July 2009. Web. 09Jan. 2011. <http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/23039/page1>.

Farm Service Agency. "Hay and Renewable Biomass Included as Eligible FSFLCommodities." United States Department of Agriculture. United States Department ofAgriculture, 17 Aug. 2009. Web. 9 Jan. 2011.<http://www.apfo.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_Notice/fsfl_62.pdf>.

Fogg, Gordon E., and Brenda Thake. Algal Cultures and Phytoplankton Ecology. Madison, WI:Univ. of Wisconsin Pr., 1987. Print.

Graham, Linda E., James M. Graham, and Lee Warren. Wilcox. Algae. San Francisco: BenjaminCummings, 2009. Print.

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Works Cited and Consulted

Holder, Jane. Environmental Protection, Law and Policy: Text and Materials. Cambridge UP, 2007. Cambridge University Press

Jackson, Daniel F. Algae And Man. New York: Plenum, 1972. Print.

Kreuzer, Helen, and Adrianne Massey. Biology and Biotechnology: Science, Applications, and Issues. Washington, DC: ASM, 2005. Home - ASM Press. ASM Press, 02 Jan. 2011.Web. 07 Jan. 2011. http://ebooks.asmpress.org/product/biology-biotechnology17540

Lane, Jim. "Military Signals Advanced Biofuels Demand: 336 Million Gallons Per Year By2020." Biofuels Digest. Biofuels Digest, Co., 16 Dec. 2010. Web. 10 Jan. 2011. <http://biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2010/12/16/military-advanced-biofuels-demand-336-million-gallons-by-2020-voices-from-the-bio-pacific-rim-summit/>.

Lauber, Volkmar. Switching To Renewable Power: A Framework For the 21st Century. London: Earthscan, 2006. Print.

Mitchell, C. Ben. Biotechnology and the Human Good. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown UP, 2007. Print.

Passero, Barbara. Energy Alternatives: Opposing Viewpoints. Detroit: Greenhaven/Thomson Gale, 2006. Print.

Sapphire Energy, Inc. "Green Crude." Sapphire Energy: Green Crude. Sapphire Energy, Inc., 2010. Web. 09 Jan. 2011. http://www.sapphireenergy.com/green-crude/. Service, Robert F. "ExxonMobil Fuels Venter's Efforts To Run Vehicles on Algae-Based Oil." Science 325.5939 (2009): 379. Print.

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Works Cited and Consulted

Shuster, Joseph M. Beyond Fossil Fuels: The Roadmap to Energy Independence By 2040. Edina, MN: Beaver's Pond, 2008. Print

Solazyme, Inc. "Technology." Solazyme. Solazyme, Inc., 2010. Web. 09 Jan. 2011.http://www.solazyme.com/content/technology.

Synthetic Genomics, Inc. "Next Generation Fuels & Chemicals." Synthetic Genomics Home. Synthetic Genomics, Inc., 2011. Web. 09 Jan. 2011.<http://www.syntheticgenomics.com/what/renewablefuels.html>.

University of Winnepeg. "Reproduction In Algae." Virtual Microscope Home Page. University of Winnepeg, 2008. Web. 09 Jan. 2011.<http://kentsimmons.uwinnipeg.ca/16cm05/16lab05/lb1pg7.htm>.

VG Energy, Inc. "Algae Based BioFuel Products Based on Metabolic Disruption." VG Energy,Inc.: Algae Biofuel Research & Development. VG Energy, Inc, 3 Jan. 2011. Web. 09 Jan. 2011. <http://www.vgenergy.org/technology.php>.

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