Need for Alternative Fuel Sources Algae Investigation - Oil Production

Need for alternative fuels World energy usage shows dramatic increase over last 80 years and need will continue to increase as more nations become developed. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/World_Oil_Production.png World Crude Oil Production 1930 - 2012 http://www.indexmundi.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/image-thumb6.png World usage has increased dramatically since 1950 and is continuing to rise. China’s rate of usage is increasing dramatically now due to rapid development as well as population growth. Other developing nations’ energy needs will also increase.

Need for alternative fuels Renewable energy 9% Need for alternative fuels In the USA, 91% of the energy used is from non-renewable sources. Need to increase renewable energy – Most energy now is form non-renewable sources that contribute to increases atmospheric CO2. Alternative fuels include solar, wind, hydropower, and biofuels including algae. Algae growth is efficient in land usage and doesn’t compete with food markets as fuel from corn has. Ted Talk

Algaeus http://thefuelfilm.com/algaeus.php First algae fuel-powered vehicle in the world was officially launched in San Francisco. The car, called Algaeus, is a modified Toyota Prius which derives power partially from green crude, oil from algae, called from Sapphire Energy. The car runs on an astonishing 150 miles per gallon of green fuel. Ways to use biofuels. Just a cool car.

Algae can be cultured and its oil used as an alternative fuel Algae can be cultured and its oil used as an alternative fuel. It grows 5-10% faster than land-based agriculture Washington Post vertical photobioreactors in El Paso, Texas. http://www.organicsoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Petro_Algae.jpg Algae can provide: oil for fuel carbohydrates to make ethanol protein for animal feed A bioreactor is just a manufactured or engineered device or system that supports a biologically active environments (Wikipedia) and outdoor ponds or “runs”. http://www.organicsoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Petro_Algae.jpg http://www.earthmagazine.org/article/green-it-gets-algae-biofuels

Oil present inside algal cells http://ejournal.sinica.edu.tw/bbas/content/2001/3/230803.JPG How do we make the most oil for the least money? have the algae grow quickly to make lot of cells have each cell make lots of oil (algae can be up to 50% oil) Oil present inside algal cells “grow” = reproduction (mitosis) to make more cells; also important to increase oil per cell. This investigation focuses on Ps providing energy for growth and oil production. http://www.thalgo.ie/uploaded/lexiques/lexiques_image_25.jpg

(EnviSci Only) Next Two Classes: What are we doing? Each group will get four bottles; take an initial and final DO measurement ~15 minutes apart Two variables: intensity (distance) OR color (wavelength) of light Hypothesis Data/statistics, graph, trends Conclusions – does the data support your hypothesis? Also background questions, experimental design. Conclusion: purpose, data support?, so what, error, what’s next