Algae Biofuels

 Biofuels From Algae As Renewable Energy

Algae biofuels are one of many renewable energy resources that scientists are investigating and developing. As the cost of gasoline soars, researchers are looking harder at all renewable energy sources. Algae biofuels may, in time, replace some percentage of petroleum-based fuels. In that way, algae biofuels could help us reduce our dependence on oil.

You probably think of algae as the green glop that grows on the top of ponds. But it's also present in the oceans of the world. In fact, algae play a vital role in the environment because they produce much of the planet's oxygen and form the base of the marine food chain.

Certain types of algae can be processed to make a liquid called biocrude. As the name suggests, biocrude is the renewable equivalent of fossil-based crude, or petroleum. Biocrude can be processed into algae biofuels at existing oil refineries, and it can be converted into almost any product those refineries now produce with crude oil. This ability to biologically engineer or create a petroleum-like liquid makes algae a very important alternative fuel source.

There are thousands of strains of algae, and scientists hope to find or create strains of algae capable of converting sunlight and carbon dioxide into biocrude. Hundreds of companies and academic research labs are currently pursuing this goal. Experiments in genetic engineering and chemically induced mutations are making progress.

It appears algae can potentially produce ten times more biofuel per acre than corn, which is currently used to make ethanol. Algae is also capable of producing many times more biofuel than soybeans, which is used for commercial biodiesel production. Plus, algae can grow in places where corn and soybeans can't, so it won't compete with them as food sources. Algae consumes huge amounts of carbon dioxide, which also helps reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. It is widely  believed that greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide contribute to global warming and climate change.

Some strains of algae produce more carbohydrates and less oil. These strains of algae can be used to create ethanol. The resulting leftover proteins can be used for animal feed. This could reduce the need to use food stocks for ethanol, and would increase both the fuel supply and animal feed availability.

Some scientists have concerns, however, about algae biofuels.  They fear that in a worst-case scenario, chemically engineered algae might escape labs and production facilities. If it gets into the environment, it could displace other species of algae and cause overgrowths, depriving waters of oxygen. This could be a huge environmental hazard with the potential to cause a chain reaction of damage to the biosphere. Algae in the ocean produce about 40 percent of the oxygen human beings use to breathe. With this being the case, a number of scientists have asserted that we must be extremely careful in experiments with algae biofuels. 

Algae biofuels are currently being tested mainly in bioreactors that basically grow algae in tubes.