Reports & Studies
Techno-economic analysis of autotrophic microalgae for fuel production
Ryan Davis, Andy Aden, Philip T. Pienkos, NREL,
Applied Energy, 88: (10) 3524-3531 ( 2011)
Near-term economics for autotrophic microalgal biofuel pathways are examined. Fuel costs = $9.84/gal (open pond production) and $20.53/gal (PBR production) were found. Economic viability of algal biofuels has significant potential for future improvement. Maximizing algal lipid content will be the primary means to reduce production cost. It is important to consider resources such as water and carbon balances for scale-up.
A Comprehensive GC–MS Sub-Microscale Assay for Fatty Acids and its Applications
Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11746-011-1799-7 or J Am Oil Chem Soc, DOI 10.1007/s11746-011-1799-7
Fatty acid analysis is essential to a broad range of applications including those associated with the nascent algal biofuel and algal bioproduct industries. Current fatty acid profiling methods require lengthy, sequential extraction and transesterification steps necessitating significant quantities of analyte. We report the development of a rapid, microscale, single-step, in situ protocol for GC–MS lipid analysis that requires only 250 microg. dry mass per sample( about 2.5 mg wet weight). Broad applications of this technique are profiling the fatty acids of several algal species. When combined with fluorescence techniques utilizing the BODIPY dye family and flow cytometry, this micro-assay serves as a powerful tool for analyzing fatty acids in laboratory and field collected samples and for high-throughput screening. Additionally, the high sensitivity of the technique allows for population analyses across a wide variety of taxa. The relevance of this work can be gathered from the ABO Technical Standards Committee site on this web page under “policy Center”.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels Road Map: Data assumptions and modelling, May 2011 (pdf download)
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap (pdf download)
United States Department of Energy, Biomass Program
A Look Back at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Aquatic Species Program: Biodiesel from Algae (pdf download)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory