lindstrand.fall2009.energywiki

Energy and Water Wiki By: 3/C Candace Lindstrand The problem at hand is coming from cars and other electronics that we use that burn the fossil fuels--coal,oil, and natural gas--which is causing the greenhouse effect which causes global warming. The Greenhouse effect is defined as when too many gases get trapped in the Earth's atmosphere, and causes the rays of sun to enter Earth's atmosphere and some are still released into space but some get trapped. Which causes the Earth to heat up and cause Global Warming. Global Warming is defined as the increase in global temperature, this is a bad thing because once the temperature starts to rise the more frequently natural disasters occur such as hurricanes, droughts and floods. Some greenhouse gases that help contribute to this problem are carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane. People are trying to help stop this problem by coming up with different alternative energy sources, such as wind, hydro and solar power. By using these alternate sources it helps to decrease the amount of greenhouse gases that get admitted into the atmosphere, which helps slow down the process of global warming. The problem is not enough people are taking advantage of these alternate resources.
 * ===What is the problem at hand? What is the driving force of the problem? What are people doing or not doing to solve the problem?===

Bio-diesel From Algae To make algae into a bio-diesel by growing the algae in the sun or in a pond or in test tubes, but it has been tested that you can also grow the the algae in a dark area, such a stainless steal container. You then feed the algae sugar which the organisms then convert into various types of oil. The oil is then extracted and gone through different processes depending on what kind of product the oil will be used for, such as cars or a jet planes.
 * ==How does Bio-diesel from Algae work?==

It is estimated that, if we to create 190 gallons of algae bio-diesel that it will emit 10.5 pounds of CO2 each. This is better than if we took 190 gallons of gasoline and burned that, we would end up with 20 pounds of CO2. Stoichiometry equation: 6H2O + 6CO2 + light→C6H12O6 + 6O2
 * ==The amount of CO2 produced by algae bio-diesel:==


 * ==The advantages of using algae bio-diesel:==
 * 1) By creating the algae needed for the bio-diesel it absorbs the carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere by going through its natural growing process of photosynthesis.
 * 2) Algae bio-diesel can create 30 times more energy per acre than a common crop.
 * 3) It takes less space to grow algae than to grow crops used to make the bio-diesel vegetable oil.
 * 4) Algae bio-diesel can be used to manufacture a full range of fuels including gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel that meet the same specifications as today’s products.
 * 5) Algae is a fast growing plant.
 * 6) Algae bio-fuel contains no sulfur.

The sad fact is that algae bio-diesel does not make up a lot of the world's fuel supply. Even though it is very efficient people just have not switched to algae bio-diesel. Mostly the reason for that is because it is still going through some testing stages.
 * ==Does it make up a lot of the world's fuel supply? Why or why not?==

“People have been growing algae for centuries for food supplements for use by man and animals, it now has the potential to supply our energy needs too.” said lead researcher Cecelia Williams
 * ==Quotes from scientist about algae bio-diesel:==

"The Canadian government has committed to a 5 per cent average renewable content in gasoline and diesel fuels by 2010, and we believe algae would be one of the most promising feedstocks for achieving this goal." says Dr. Vikram Pattarkine

Australian scientists are achieving the world's best production rates of oil from algae grown in open saline ponds, taking them a step closer to creating commercial quantities of clean biofuel for the future. "This is the only biofuel project in Australia working simultaneously on all steps in the process of microalgal biofuels production, from microalgae culture, harvesting of the algae and extraction of oil suitable for biofuels production," Professor Borowitzka says.

Algae bio-diesel helps solve the problems of global warming because even though it creates carbon dioxide it also takes a lot of it away while it grows through its process of photosynthesis. Plus it would produce a lot less carbon dioxide then any gasoline we use today.
 * ==How does algae bio-diesel solve some of the problems?==

To make algae bio-diesel work on a larger scale we would have to put out a lot more advertising for it. We would also have to describe the benefits and how much people would save if they used algae bio-diesel.
 * ==What would it take to make algae bio-diesel work on a larger scale?==

The company that started it all is called Solazyme, and the group of people who have started using this technology the most would have to be the Australians.
 * ==The people who created this technology are:==

I would not change anything about it. It is efficient, and has a lot of big advantages to using it, also it helps the environment more than it would hurt it. I just think a lot more people should switch to this bio-fuel or any bio-fuel so we can take a step forward in helping to save our planet.
 * ==After learning about algae bio-diesel what would I do next to change how its used? Why?==

Works Cited: http://environment.about.com/od/fossilfuels/Environmental_Issues_Fossil_Fuels_Alternative_Fuels.htm http://knowledge.allianz.com/en/globalissues/climate_change/global_warming_basics/global_warming_greenhouse_effect.html http://www.technologyreview.com/Biztech/20319/ http://www.greenchipstocks.com/articles/carbon-intensity-of-algae-biofuels/462 http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=3786 http://www.exxonmobil.com/Corporate/energy_climate_con_vehicle_algae.aspx http://www.renewable-energy-sources.com/2008/04/07/algae-the-future-of-biofuels-advantages-of-algae-biofuel/ http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/health/scientists-using-algae-to-generate-energy_100259005.html http://finance.yahoo.com/news/OriginOil-Chief-Scientist-to-bw-1596546158.html?x=0&.v=1 http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-11/uoa-cab110409.php