Optimization of Microalgae Harvesting, Pre-treatment, Oil Extraction, Transesterification and Fermentation Techniques for Production of Cost Effective and Environmentally Friendly Biofuels and Value Added Products: A Biorefinery Concept

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Conventional energy resources (coal, natural gas, oil), which account for 87% of the total world energy demand, are rapidly depleting and the cost of energy is increasing. Utilization of bio-materials for the production of biofuels can meet the surge in energy demand and play a major role in Canada’s climate change strategy. In an effort to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fossil fuel use, encourage biofuel production and the commercialization of new biofuels technology and provide a new market for agricultural and rural communities, the Government of Canada launched an ecoENERGY Biofuels Program which is committed to increase the production and use of biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel) by investing $1.5 billion from April 2008 to March 2017. Biodiesel is a renewable and environmentally friendly biofuel that requires research and development for identifying cost-effective ways for production as the existing technology is inefficient and the substrate supply (food crops), which accounts for 70-80% of the total biodiesel production cost, is not sustainable. In addition, current biodiesel production systems are in competition with food supply and have raised food prices worldwide as reported by the Food and Agricultural Organization. Demand for food will double by 2050 while climate change will cause reduction in agricultural productivity and limit food resources. Thus, utilization of low cost alternative biomaterials and development of environmentally friendly biodiesel production systems must be adequately addressed. Our research program aims at investigating the conversion of algal biomass into a 3rd generation of biofuels and value added products. The anticipated products are renewable and will also be directly compatible with existing petrochemicals. The long term objective of this project is to develop a biorefinery strategy for the production of biodiesel and high value molecules from microalgae. The work consists of: (a) selecting high oil yielding organisms, (b) optimizing algae growth and oil yield, (c) selecting/optimizing most efficient and cost effective algae harvesting and pretreatment techniques for large scale operation and (d) developing/optimizing environmentally friendly extraction, transesterification, fermentation and separation techniques. The approach utilized in this research is based on our previous work on production of biodiesel and valuable products from fish processing and animal rendering wastes and is a continuation of our effort on the development of an algae biorefinery strategy over the last three years. The work is expected to contribute to the socio-economic development of Canada, enhance the economics of biodiesel, agriculture and nutraceutical industries and accelerate carbon sequestration. Highly qualified personnel (graduate and undergraduate students) will be trained in the fields of bioenergy and biotechnology.