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Biofuels

Biofuels. Current Energy Problems. Middle East instability -reliability of foreign oil Future oil prices Estimated 40-50 years worth of oil left globally. U.S. Energy Information Administration. 1 barrel of oil= 42 gallons. Different Feedstock.

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Biofuels

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  1. Biofuels

  2. Current Energy Problems • Middle East instability -reliability of foreign oil • Future oil prices • Estimated 40-50 years worth of oil left globally U.S. Energy Information Administration 1 barrel of oil= 42 gallons

  3. Different Feedstock • Corn- Needs water and fertilizer; Food source; Low efficiency • Soybean- Easily grown; Industry established; Food source • Palm Oil- High energy output; Food Source; Clearing of rainforest • Rapeseed- Not food source; Needs fertilizer, soil, etc.

  4. Oils Used • Soybean; 80% Food, 20% Oil • Palm; 90% of World’s production Indonesia and Malaysia • Algae; U.S. one of only Looking into technology

  5. OtherCountries and their Biodiesel • Argentina--- one of theleadingproducers of soy beanoilforbiofuels • Alsoattemptingtodevelop non-foodfeedstocks • Brazil---Anotherleadingproducer of soybeanoilforbiofuels • Theydevelopedthe formula to use methanolinstead of ethanolwhenmaking biodiesel

  6. History The US consumes about 288,204,000 gallons of crude oil per year

  7. UnitedStates and Biofuels • Currently in ordertomeetalltheneeds of oureconomyusingbiofuels, wewouldneedtoincreasethesize of soybeanfarmlandbytwo times whatwehave, and increaseourrapeseedfarmlandby 2/3 of whatitisnow • One of mostvaluableaspects of ourbiofuelsisthedevelopment of processingcellulosticplantssuch as algae

  8. SCIENCE Transesterification “Liquid Solar Fuel” Only plants that contain lipid oil can be used in making biodiesel, the key factor in the plant is the lipid oil Using the lipid oil from plants, and alcohol and a catalyst Catalyst often sodium hydroxide

  9. Local Economic Impacts • Wide variety of crops • Not just limited to Midwest • New jobs- construction and permanent • Stimulates economic growth -wider monetary base in communities

  10. Model Ethanol Plant Nebraska Public Power District estimates that a typical ethanol plant will… • Provide monetary boost during construction • Expand community by $70.2 million annually • Create about 30 full-time jobs, 120 total • Increase household income by $6.7 million annually

  11. National/Statewide Impact • Growth in biodiesel industry supports crops -stimulates goods and services in general agriculture • Government tax revenue and current state of economy -$450 million federal, $380 state & local -net balance of $120 million to Federal Treasury • Dependence on foreign oil -biodiesel produced in 2007 displaced 25 million gallons of oil However, this kind of growth cannot be sustained…

  12. Social Impacts • Food production vs. fuel production -dependence on food imports -low income families suffer • Land, water, resources diverted • Price increases, more expensive overall -wheat up 22% from 2000-2007 -corn up 39% • Depletion of soil • Nitrogen fertilizers cause pollution

  13. Pond Scum vs. Vertigro • Pond scum is subject to environmental variables • Contamination • Low penetration of light • Temperature • Changing seasons • Inadequate food and space • Vertigro is expected to be able to yield 70 times more fuel per acre than pond algae

  14. Bioreactor • Algae energy is a new source • Requires many infrastructure changes • Photosynthetic algae require little to survive • Light • Carbon dioxide • A growth medium • Water with nutrients

  15. Oil Extraction • Remove some algae from bioreactor • Mechanical method • Expeller press • Chemical method • Hexane solvent • Combination of two methods is most efficient

  16. Vertigro • Corn (Ethanol) Yields 20-30 gallons of oil per acre • Vertigro can yield 100,000 gallons of oil per acre • The algae reduces greenhouse gas emissions • 50% of the algae is lipids used for oil • Algae doubles in size in 24 hours Gallons/acre Vertigro Algae Feedstock

  17. Conclusion…. • Vertigro is the solution! • This method is extremely efficient per acre • It reduces CO2 emissions • The source of energy is the sun • All inputs are renewable and accessible • Eventually, it could reduce gas production prices to be as low as $1.00

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