Coastal Biomass from Algae for the production of biodiesel Estimated cost: $1.40 to $4.40/gal Or $60 to $100 per barrel of oil equivalent 7.5 billion gallons of biodiesel per year requires 500,000 acres of water Old Dominion University Patrick G. Hatcher Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Cells during Growth Pyrolysis/GC/MS chromatogram of algae

1.VA has plenty of sunshine 2.VA has many coastal areas amenable to locating algal ponds in close proximity to power generating facilities and agriculture 3.VA’s coastal waterways are choked with algae which could be removed and used as biodiesel feedstock while cleaning up the waterways 4.VA has the customers: 1.Military 2.Coastal cities with high energy demands 3.US and State government buildings and vehicles 1. Outperforms all land-plant sources Gallons of Oil per Acre per Year Corn 18 Soybeans48 Safflower83 Sunflower102 Rapeseed127 Oil Palm635 Algae5,000-15,000 Why is it attractive? 2. Does not use agricutural land 3. Is cleaner burning than diesel Why is it attractive for Virginia?

ODU’s strategy for the production of biodiesel from algae Various options for design of production facility 1.Algal ponds coupled to agricultural effluents 2.Coupled to waterway cleanup 3.Algal ponds coupled to electricity generation Research : 1.Design a bench-scale facility for converting various algae sources above to diesel to provide proof of concept for the chemical process being designed 2.Generate diesel fuels in sufficient amounts to test fuel efficiency and characteristics 3.Scale up to pilot facility in cooperation with industry partners