Innovations in renewable energy production: biodiesel from microalgae grown on waste resources using liquid-solid circulating fluidized beds and photo-bioreactors

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In this proposal an integrated approach is presented for the production of biodiesel by conversion of algal oils extracted from microalgae. This project focuses on emerging technologies for biodiesel production using low cost and renewable substrates. Biodiesel, comprised by esters in fatty acids, is an alternative fuel obtained from renewable biological sources, such as vegetable oils and animal fats. Compared to traditional (petroleum derived) diesel, biodiesel has lower emissions of sulfur and particulates. It is also biodegradable and non-toxic. The physical and chemical properties are quite similar to petroleum based diesel, which implies that bio-diesel can be blended easily with diesel. The current sources being considered for bio-diesel include oil seed crops such as soybean, canola etc., animal fats or waste or recycled oils. It is anticipated that the demand for biodiesel may rise significantly thus putting increasing pressure on land based crops. Thus new, strategic approaches need to be considered in order to provide alternative raw materials as a source of bio-diesel.High oil-producing algae can be used as an attractive alternative to produce bio-diesel. At the same time, algae technology provides a means for mitigation of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Algal bio-diesel production can be combined withhigh-volume re-use of CO2 generated in power plants or biogas plants. It is a technology that combines greenhouse gas mitigation with energy generation using clean-burning alternatives to petroleum. The algae will be cultivated in photo-reactors, concentrated by settling and mixed with hexane and methanol in a tubular extraction system. The crude mash of broken algae, oil and methanol will be introduced into two types of reactors (a) A continuous liquid solid circulating fluidized bed reactor and (b) Simulated (expanded) moving bed reactors. Simultaneous extraction and trans-esterification of algal oil will be demonstrated in these two systems. The project will lead to a significant value addition to the Farm economies in Ontario and Canada.