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Creating Biodiesel from Algae
The problem that the world is faced with is they are wasting the fossil fuels, such as oil, that are used for energy. These fossil fuels however are inefficient and release too much CO2 into the air. This abundance of CO2 creates the pollution which is the main contributer to global warming. The inhabitants of earth are also contributing to the problem by overusing the fuels used for running cars, heating homes, and running factories. Not only are the fossil fuels not reusable and running out rapidly, the pollution is making global warming worse. A solution is the use of biodiesel which is a non-petroleum-based diesel fuel usually made from vegetable oil or animal fats. One resource used is algae. Algae stores energy in the form of lipids and the oil from these lipids are separated by the process of ultrasonic extraction. How this process works is that sound waves generate alternating low-pressure and high-pressure cycles. The low-pressure cycle creates high-intensity vacuume bubbles in the liquid. During the high-pressure cycle the bubbles reach a certain size and then collapse, known as cavitation. Cavitation creates extremely high pressures and liquid jets at high speeds. This process breaks down the cell structure and helps with the removal of the lipids from the algae. Then the oils are chemically converted into biodiesel by the process called transesterification. This process uses heat, mechanical agitation, and catalytic chemicals. The reactants are mixed and then pumped through a reactor column. A centrifuge separates the glycerin and the biodiesel in a more efficient way and in turn creating a more pure product.

The advantages of using algae are that it is more efficient than other products like vegetable oil. Algae can produce 10,000 gallons of biodiesel per acre compared to a product like soybeans which only produce 50 gallons per acre. Also, algae can be harvested in differing climates such as deserts and marine environments. Furthermore, using staple crops such as corn raises their prices. Algae is not used as a food or for many other things, so using it to create energy is a great idea.

One of the first uses of algae was to consume CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants. It is calculated that if 100 acres of algae was used to consume the CO2 emissions of a 100 megawatt power plant, the algae would consume 90 percent. To produce biodiesel from algae on a large scale it would take two steps: growing the algae and then processing it. The little steps to achieve this however, are more complicated. First of all, it is a concern that land used for crops would be displaced by the algae growing plants. The price to build the plants i very high, roughly 308$ billion. However, the plants would be built where they would be fed wastewater streams which would help reduce pollution. Then the operating costs per year would be 46.2$ billion. But, compared to the 100$ billion the country spends on fuels from foreign countries that is less than half the amount. Critics also believe this is an excellent idea. They do state that it would be expensive including building the plants, buying land, buying chemicals for the conversion ect. The idea of using algae is becoming more well known and there are plans to have a more widescale production by groups such as UNH Biodiesel Group. However, right now algae is not used a lot because the process of ultrasonic extraction is still a new concept.

I think that this idea is really great and should be used. There are many advantages including its efficiency. It is quick to make, it consumes large amounts of CO2, it is easily grown, and it isn't used for anything else. I think this product should be one of the top used biodiesels and should be produced on a larger scale. "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." -Mahatma Gandhi

"The struggle to save the global environment is in one way much more difficult than the struggle to vanquish Hitler, for this time the war is with ourselves. We are the enemy, just as we have only ourselves as allies." - Al Gore

Sources http://www.hielscher.com/ultrasonics/algae_extraction_01.htm http://www.hielscher.com/ultrasonics/biodiesel_transesterification_01.htm http://biodiesel.pl/biodiesel_from_algae/algae_thriving_on_co2/ http://www.unh.edu/p2/biodiesel/article_alge.html