Algae

What is algae?

Algae range from unicellular to multicellular forms. They are typically simple autotrophic organisms. Algae can be found in almost any open water environment, including lakes, rivers, and ponds. Even the seaweed you see along beaches are a form of algae.

The importance of algae

Algae has been used in many different areas and not just in biodiesel. Some uses of algae include:

• Using algae as a fertilizer
• Growing algae to produce other energy sources such as
  • Biohydrogen
  • Biomass, which can be burned produce electricity and heat
  • Oil and Biodiesel
• Controlling pollution
  • Algae can be used to capture fertilizer runoff from farms
  • Algae feed on carbon dioxide and can be used to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from powerplants
  • Algae are also used in wastewater treatment facilities which reduce the amount of other toxic chemicals needed
• Making dyes
• Consuming algae as a nutritious food source
• Using algae to stabilize substances

These are just some of the many things that algae is used for.

Why use algae for biodiesel production?

A variety of oils can be used to produce biodiesel including animal fat and waste vegetable oils. However, there is a limited supply of waste vegetable oil and animal fat, and it would not be efficient to raise animals simply for their fat.

Algae, however, is abundant and can be cultivated in the right conditions. Using algae provides serveral advantages over using other types of feedstock. Algae can be grown on non-arable land (deserts, for example) as well as in marine environments. Not only that, the potential oil yields from algae are much higher than from plants.