SVS College of Engineering Coimbatore- 641109.

PAPER ON,

ELECTRICITY FROM ALGAE

PRESENTED BY S.MONIKA, III-YEAR (EEE), s.monikakrithika@gmail.com krithidarshini15@gmail.com
CONTACT NO: 9500328313. 9894579425. CONTACT NO:

C.KIRUTHIKA, III-YEAR (EEE),

ELECTRICITY FROM ALGAE

carbon dioxide while doing so. These facts look very promising for use of algae in bioenergy.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ALGAE
The algae are an ancient group of aquatic plants. There are thought to be about 23,000 species of algae. There are three features which distinguish the algae from other plants, namely their body plan and reproductive system. There is no specialisation of the algal body into root, stem, leaves with vascular tissue. The photosynthetic portion of the alga is a thallus while the attachment portion comprises hair-like rhizoids. For most algae, sperm and eggs fuse in the open water and the zygote develops into a new plant without any protection. For other plant groups the zygote develops into an embryo within the protection of the parent plant. The gametes are produced within a single cell. There is no jacket of sterile cells protecting the gametes. Being aquatic, algae are marine, freshwater and terrestrial. Terrestrial algae are effectively surviving in an aquatic environment on land. Soil algae survive in a film of soil water. Algae are primary producers, i.e. they are the start of the food chain. One third of all the carbon fixed on this planet is achieved by algae, largely in the oceans!

Abstract the algae will be cultivated in

laboratories and put in plastic cylinders where water, carbon dioxide, and sunshine can trigger photosynthesis. The resulting biomass will be treated further to produce a fuel to turn turbines. The carbon dioxide produced in the process will be fed back to Algae are largely classified on the basis ofcolor the algae, resulting in zero emissions from the (photosynthetic pigments), storage material, flagella, and cell wall. The skeletons of a group plant. of algae, the diatoms, are glass-like and this material is put to a variety of uses, such as INTRODUCTION abrasives , reflective road signs, swimming pool High oil prices, global warming, and emphasis filters. in renewable technology are attracting new interest in a potentially rich source of biofuels: In general there are two types of algae: the algae. Currently, no alternative technology macro algae and microalgae. Macro algae are seems to be able to entirely replace our vast also known as seaweed and can become very energy demands. Yet, we need new technologies large, up to like 60 meter in length. There are to provide us the energy we need. One of these also microalgae, which are far smaller than technologies which are receiving more and more macro algae and are practically small attention is bioenergy derived from algae. photosynthetic factories. Both types of algae grow in marine and fresh waters and can be Microalgae can contain up to 40% oil, they can found over the whole earth. grow in wastewater and in live places where no agriculture is possible. They are able to grow METHODS OF ALGAE GROWTH very fast and they even capture large amounts

To make algae a viable source for biomass they have to be produced in large quantities. There are some important factors that determine the growth rate of algae Algae type: different types of algae have different growth rates Medium/nutrients: composition of the water Light: light is needed for the photosynthesis process pH: algae need a pH between 7 and 9 to have an optimum growth rate Aeration: the algae need to have contact with air (CO2) Mixing: mixing prevents sedimentation of algae and makes sure all cells are equally exposed to light Temperature: there is an ideal temperature for algae to grow Ideal circumstances to grow algae can be created in a laboratory. However, the costs to create these circumstances are very high and it is very difficult to scale up the laboratory environment efficiently.At the moment there are two distinct methods that are being researched for growing algae.

Fig. 1 Sketch of Raceway pond

Fig. 2 Raceway pond.

ANAEROBIC DIGESTION RACEWAY POND

The 'raceway pond' is a large open water raceway track where algae and nutrients are pumped around by a motorized paddle. Carbon dioxide also has to be added to the pond. The algae culture will grow continuously and part of the algae will be removed during the growing process. The biggest advantage of these open ponds is their simplicity, yielding low production costs and low operating costs. However, not all algae species can be grown in these ponds, due to contamination of other algae and bacteria. Also the process conditions, like temperature and the amount of light, are hard or impossible to control. Anaerobic digestion is a biological process that produces a gas principally composed of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) otherwise known as biogas. These gases are produced from organic wastes such as livestock manure, food processing waste, etc. Anaerobic processes could either occur naturally or in a controlled environment such as a biogas plant.

METHANE FROM DIGESTORS

ANAEROBIC

Methane is a gas that contains molecules of methane with one atom of carbon and four atoms of hydrogen (CH4). It is the major component of the "natural" gas used in many homes for cooking and heating. It is odorless, colorless, and yields about 1,000 British Thermal Units (Btu) [252 kilocalories (kcal)] of heat energy per cubic foot (0.028 cubic meters) when burned. Natural gas is a fossil fuel that

was created eons ago by the anaerobic A variety of factors affect the rate of digestion decomposition of organic materials. It is often and biogas production. The most important is found in association with oil and coal. temperature. Anaerobic bacteria communities can endure temperatures ranging from below The same types of anaerobic bacteria that freezing to above 135 Fahrenheit (F) (57.2 produced natural gas also produce methane Centigrade [C]), but they thrive best at today. Anaerobic bacteria are some of the oldest temperatures of about 98F (36.7C) forms of life on earth. They evolved before the (mesophilic) and 130F (54.4C) (thermophilic). photosynthesis of green plants released large Bacteria activity, and thus biogas production, quantities of oxygen into the atmosphere. falls off significantly between about 103 and Anaerobic bacteria break down or "digest" 125F (39.4 and 51.7C) and gradually from organic material in the absence of oxygen and 95 to 32F (35 to 0C). produce "biogas" as a waste product. (Aerobic decomposition, or composting, requires large In the thermophilic range, decomposition and amounts of oxygen and produces heat.) biogas production occur more rapidly than in the Anaerobic decomposition occurs naturally in mesophilic range. However, the process is swamps, water-logged soils and rice fields, deep highly sensitive to disturbances such as changes bodies of water, and in the digestive systems of in feed materials or temperature. While all termites and large animals. Anaerobic processes anaerobic digesters reduce the viability of weed can be managed in a "digester" (an airtight tank) seeds and disease-producing (pathogenic) or a covered lagoon (a pond used to store organisms, the higher temperatures of manure) for waste treatment. The primary thermophilic digestion result in more complete benefits of anaerobic digestion are nutrient destruction. Although digesters operated in the recycling, waste treatment, and odor control. mesophilic range must be larger (to Except in very large systems, biogas production accommodate a longer period of decomposition is a highly useful but secondary benefit. within the tank [residence time]), the process is less sensitive to upset or change in operating Biogas produced in anaerobic digesters consists regimen. of methane (50%-80%), carbon dioxide (20%50%), and trace levels of other gases such as To optimize the digestion process, the digester hydrogen, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, oxygen, must be kept at a consistent temperature, as and hydrogen sulfide. The relative percentage of rapid changes will upset bacterial activity. In these gases in biogas depends on the feed most areas of the United States, digestion material and management of the process. When vessels require some level of insulation and/or burned, a cubic foot (0.028 cubic meters) of heating. Some installations circulate the coolant biogas yields about 10 Btu (2.52 kcal) of heat from their biogas-powered engines in or around energy per percentage of methane composition. the digester to keep it warm, while others burn For example, biogas composed of 65% methane part of the biogas to heat the digester. In a yields 650 Btu per cubic foot (5,857 kcal/cubic properly designed system, heating generally meters). results in an increase in biogas production during colder periods. The trade-offs in DIGESTION PROCESS maintaining optimum digester temperatures to maximize gas production while minimizing Anaerobic decomposition is a complex process. expenses are somewhat complex. Studies on It occurs in three basic stages as the result of the digesters in the north-central areas of the activity of a variety of microorganisms. Initially, country indicate that maximum net biogas a group of microorganisms converts organic production can occur in digesters maintained at material to a form that a second group of temperatures as low as 72F (22.2C). organisms utilizes to form organic acids. Methane-producing (methanogenic) anaerobic Other factors affect the rate and amount of bacteria utilize these acids and complete the biogas output. These include pH, water/solids ratio, carbon/nitrogen ratio, mixing of the decomposition process.

digesting material, the particle size of the material being digested, and retention time. Presizing and mixing of the feed material for a uniform consistency allows the bacteria to work more quickly. The pH is self-regulating in most cases. Bicarbonate of soda can be added to maintain a consistent pH, for example when too much "green" or material high in nitrogen content is added. It may be necessary to add water to the feed material if it is too dry, or if the nitrogen content is very high. A carbon/nitrogen ratio of 20/1 to 30/1 is best. Occasional mixing or agitation of the digesting material can aid the digestion process. Antibiotics in livestock feed have been known to kill the anaerobic bacteria in digesters. Complete digestion, and retention times, depends on all of the above factors As long as proper conditions are present, anaerobic bacteria will continuously produce biogas. Minor fluctuations may occur that reflect the loading routine. Biogas can be used for heating, cooking, and to operate an internal combustion engine for mechanical and electric power. For engine applications, it may be advisable to scrub out hydrogen sulfide (a highly corrosive and toxic gas). Very large-scale systems/producers may be able to sell the gas to natural gas companies, but this may require scrubbing out the carbon dioxide. The material drawn from the digester is called sludge, or effluent. This is transferred to microbial fuel cell.

(positively charged ion) specific membrane. In the anode compartment, fuel is oxidized by microorganisms, generating electrons and protons. Electrons are transferred to the cathode compartment through an external electric circuit, and the protons are transferred to the cathode compartment through the membrane. Electrons and protons are consumed in the cathode compartment, combining with oxygen to form water. In general, there are two types of microbial fuel cells: mediator and mediator-less microbial fuel cells.Bacteria in mediator-less MFCs typically have electrochemically active redox enzymes such as cytochromes on their outer membrane that can transfer electrons to external materials.

GENERATING ELECTRICITY
When micro-organisms consume a substrate such as sugar in aerobic conditions they produce carbon dioxide and water. However when oxygen is not present they produce carbon dioxide, protons and electrons as described below
C12H22O11 + 13H2O --> 12CO2 + 48H+ + 48e-

MICROBIAL FUEL CELL

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) or biological fuel cell is a bio-electrochemical system that drives a current by mimicking bacterial interactions found in nature. A microbial fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy to electrical energy by the catalytic reaction of microorganisms.

Microbial fuel cells use inorganic mediators to tap into the electron transport chain of cells and steal the electrons that are produced. The mediator crosses the outer cell lipid membranes and plasma wall; it then begins to liberate electrons from the electron transport chain that would normally be taken up by oxygen or other intermediates. The now-reduced mediator exits the cell laden with electrons that it shuttles to an electrode where it deposits them; this electrode becomes the electro-generic anode (negatively charged electrode). The release of the electrons means that the mediator returns to its original oxidized state ready to repeat the process. It is important to note that this can only happen under anaerobic conditions, if oxygen is present then it will collect all the electrons as it has a greater electronegativity than the mediator.

In a microbial fuel cell operation, the anode is the terminal electron acceptor recognized by bacteria in the anodic chamber. Therefore, the A typical microbial fuel cell consists of anode microbial activity is strongly dependent on the and cathode compartments separated by a cation redox potential of the anode.

DESCRIPTION

This is the principle behind generating a flow of electrons from most micro-organisms. The organisms capable of producing an electric current are termed Exoelectrogens. In order to turn this into a usable supply of electricity this process has to be accommodated in a fuel cell so that it creates a complete circuit, not just shuttles electrons to a single point. In the second chamber of the MFC is another solution and electrode. This electrode, called the cathode is positively charged and is the equivalent of the oxygen sink at the end of the electron transport chain, only now it is external to the biological cell. The solution is an oxidizing agent that picks up the electrons at the cathode. As with the electron chain in the yeast cell, this could be a number of molecules such as oxygen. However,
this is not particularly practical as it would require large

ADVANTAGES
One of the biggest advantages of using algae as a source for methane is the fact that the total process is neutral with regard to carbon dioxide. With an increasing focus on environmental friendliness this could point out to be the most important advantage. Also the fact that algae can use carbon dioxide and other flue gasses to grow makes them a very interesting subject of research. Furthermore, algae are a sustainable source of energy. Furthermore all conditions for algae to grow fast are present in abundance: feedstock in the form of carbon dioxide and water and energy source in the form of sunlight.

A second advantage is the fact that algae are highly efficient converters of solar energy to biomass, compared to crops or trees. It is possible for algae to use almost 10% of the incoming sunlight for the photosynthesis Connecting the two electrodes is a wire (or other process. This makes it possible to get a high electrically conductive path which may include biomass output per square meter per day. some electrically powered device such as a light bulb) and completing the circuit and connecting A third advantage is that some algae grow in the two chambers is a salt bridge or ion- water and not on land. If grown in traditional exchange membrane. This last feature allows the lakes, or even salty waters, they don't compete protons produced, to pass from the anode with other sources for biomass. chamber to the cathode chamber. volumes of circulating gas. A more convenient option is to use a solution of a solid oxidizing agent.

DISADVANTAGES

The reduced mediator carries electrons from the cell to the electrode. Here the mediator is oxidized as it deposits the electrons. These then flow across the wire to the second electrode, which acts as an electron sink. From here they pass to an oxidizing material.

The biggest disadvantage at this moment is the fact that it is still hard to grow mass cultures of algae for a competitive price. To earn maximum growth per square meter a photo bioreactor is necessary. These photo bioreactors however are extremely expensive compared to the traditional open pond systems. The disadvantage of the open pool systems however is the fact that it is hard to control the growth process of the algae. Only a few algae species can be grown in open pool systems at this moment, because there are only a few species that are not very sensitive to contamination. These species are often not the most efficient converters of sunlight and carbon dioxide to biomass. Besides the fact that growing algae is not economically viable at the moment, the conversion is not optimal as well. Because algae

Microbial fuel cell

are wet they cannot be gasified without drying, which consumes a lot of energy and therefore lowers the overall efficiency. Supercritical water gasification is a solution for this problem because wet biomass can be a feedstock for this process. However, this technology is still very immature and not applied on a large scale.

One of the problems with current methods for producing biodiesel from algae oil is the processing cost, and the New York researchers say their innovative process is at least 40 percent cheaper than that of others now being used. Supply will not be a problem: There is a limitless amount of algae growing in oceans, lakes, and rivers, throughout the world. A big question at the moment is how to use algae as efficient as possible as a source of GREEN FUTURE OF VENICE energy. There are many paths to take, but at the The city of Venice hopes to get at least 50 per moment major research is focused on the cent of electricity from renewable sources by the production of biodiesel. The process of making year 2011. It plans to use algae to generate biodiesel from biomass is well known and electricity. Venice, known as the City of already used on a large scale. Another path, Bridges, plans to end its reliance on fossil fuels which is easy to follow, is the fermentation of biomass to ethanol. This process is also applied in the near future by primarily using biofuels. on a large scale. If there are not any major As a first step the city officials have invested breakthroughs in the conversion of algae to 200 million ($264 million) for a biofuels plant. methane (supercritical water gasification for They will use two types of algae, example) methane from algae is not expected to Sargassummuticum and Undariapinnafitida. be the source of energy for the future. However, They will cultivate them in laboratories, which with increasing demands of gas and more will then be used to generate electricity in a new subsidies on biogas (subsidies on biodiesel are 40 MW power plant. This plant will provide up very high globally) it is possible that more research will be done on the production of to 50 per cent of the citys electricity needs. methane from algae.

At this moment it is commercially not viable to produce methane from algae. Cheap algae can be produced by open pool systems, but they need a too large surface to replace fossil fuels. Bioreactors need about ten times less surface to produce the algae, but the costs for these systems are far higher. A lot of technological progression has to be made in order to make power generation from algae feasible. Initial focus of research should be on growing mass cultures of algae efficiently. By genetic engineering more productive species and species that are more suitable for open pond systems should be created.

CONCLUSION

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