{"id":1201,"date":"2009-09-14T12:39:00","date_gmt":"2009-09-14T12:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oilgae.com\/blog\/?p=1201"},"modified":"2010-05-11T08:02:51","modified_gmt":"2010-05-11T08:02:51","slug":"carbon-dioxide-sources-and-production","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.oilgae.com\/blog\/2009\/09\/carbon-dioxide-sources-and-production.html","title":{"rendered":"Carbon Dioxide Sources and the Production Of Algae"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>You are at: <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.oilgae.com\/blog\/\">Oilgae Blog<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Contributed Post:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>SAM A. RUSHING<br \/>\nADVANCED CRYOGENICS, LTD.<br \/>\nP.O. Box 419, Tavernier, FL 33070 USA<br \/>\nTel 305 852 2597 Fax 2598<br \/>\nrushing@terranova.net<br \/>\nwww.carbondioxideconsultants.com<\/p>\n<p><strong>Background<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the world of biofuels, algae is under the spotlight as a major destination of interest for CO<sub>2<\/sub> usage from power and chemical projects, from the perspective as a greenhouse gas \/ carbon sink. Today, more than ever, methods for viable sequestration alternatives are essential to meet the changing political and environmental tone set by the US House of Representatives and the EPA \u2013 and ultimately established as a law. Also of strong interest is the usage of algae as a source of feedstock material for biodiesel, and perhaps fermentation. CO<sub>2<\/sub> is an ingredient used by algae for normal growth, during photosynthesis, and of course, the challenge for a strong reduction of atmospheric CO<sub>2<\/sub> content is one of today&#8217;s greatest challenges. Algae can be a partial means to an end in this quest for greenhouse gas reduction, and at the same time serving as an essential ingredient required for algae cultivation. The driver in algae based CO<sub>2<\/sub> fixation or sequestration has been CO<sub>2<\/sub> sourcing from coal fired power plants. The coal fired power plants yield \u00bd  of the power produced, and at the same time some 83% of the CO<sub>2<\/sub> emitted from all power sources. For each Kwh of electricity, about 2.1 pounds of CO2 are produced, and sent out as flue gas, on average, from the coal fired power plants.<\/p>\n<p>A range of 1.5 to 3.0 pounds of CO<sub>2<\/sub> are required for one pound of algae cultivated. Power plant projects are under the greatest amount of pressure to reduce airborne CO<sub>2<\/sub> emissions today, however, larger fermentation projects are also viable CO<sub>2<\/sub> source targets; plus a number of commercial energy production and chemical manufacturing sources as well. Most of the testing for CO<sub>2<\/sub> fixation by algae has been via the coal fired power plant, which is a lean CO<sub>2<\/sub> content v. a fermentation project. The difference in CO<sub>2<\/sub> content can make for a broad range in capital expense and production cost, as well as the raw gas specifications \u2013 that being nitrogen oxides (NO<sub>x<\/sub>) and sulfur oxides (SO<sub>x<\/sub>) are major culprits when defining which algae strains will accept the use of a raw flue gas with lots of the sulfur and nitrogen compounds v. a generally cleaner by-product from select chemical manufacturing processes; which may or may not require purification in this application. Therefore, hurdles via flue gas include selection of a viable algae for cultivation, assuming little or no purification takes place; plus the  application of large volumes of raw gas could be problematic, from an application point of view.<\/p>\n<p>Algae cultivation as a carbon sink is a popular consideration among those in the power generating business. In this scenario, generally DOE or industry sponsored demo projects have produced most of the headlines in the press as of late. In such settings, generally the algae project is located around or near the power facility, chemical manufacturer, or other projects which have a significant CO<sub>2<\/sub> output. The difference among various CO<sub>2<\/sub> emitters, in terms of the amount of CO<sub>2<\/sub> available per pound or ton can be a day v. night scenario, and this would then create a range of requirements for capital investment, application technology, and results achieved. In real world terms, it is not always possible or convenient to allow an &#8216;across the fence&#8217; algae production site, in part, since adjacent real estate is not always conveniently available.<\/p>\n<p>As to algae fuel, this can represent up to 30 times more energy value per acre than a common crop, such as soybean. Other examples, include the difference with palm oil can average one \u2013 fifteenth the energy value when compared with algae. Given the high oil yield from algae, it is estimated that about one percent of today&#8217;s one billion acres used in the United States for farming and grazing would be sufficient (as land, pond, or ocean space) to produce enough algae to replace all petro \u2013 diesel fuel used in the United States today. That is a significant number, and algae should be utilized and developed to take advantage of opportunities such as this.<\/p>\n<p>Numerous challenges lie in this successful application of algae as a medium in the biofuels world, when considering CO<sub>2<\/sub> applications, which include distance from the CO<sub>2<\/sub> source to the algae production site, the nature of the CO<sub>2<\/sub> source \u2013 and how it impacts the cost and feasibility in this application. All of this is highly sensitive to the increasing requirement to reduce carbon emissions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Application of CO<sub>2<\/sub> and Sources<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Many of the projects which have been evaluated or are under a test today are electric power projects, generally coal \u2013 fired projects. Since coal \u2013 fired electric generating plants account for about 40% of today&#8217;s CO<sub>2<\/sub> emissions, and if CO<sub>2<\/sub>2 emissions are reduced from this sector, a major impact on greenhouse gases would occur. In the United States, CO<sub>2<\/sub> is now being recovered from the flue gas produced from coal fired co generation plants; and the economic model worked due to a prior energy law which fostered the use of co generated steam which is used in an amine (MEA) solvent recovery process \u2013 a method of concentrating the CO<sub>2<\/sub> from a lean content in the flue gas. Further, when considering relatively large CO<sub>2<\/sub> emitters, the ethanol industry has been in the spotlight due to a substantial amount of CO2 emitted in a concentrated form as a direct by-product of fermentation. As to fermentation by-product, anhydrous ammonia by-product, and the by-product of certain hydrogen reformer processes found in oil refineries, to name a few &#8211;  would have CO<sub>2<\/sub> raw gas content (often in a water saturated state) of 97 to 99% by volume.<\/p>\n<p>When comparing this to emissions from combustion of various fossil fuels, such as coal, this can often range within the 12 &#8211; 15% by volume order of magnitude. Gas fired turbine exhaust in co generation can be below 3%; and heavier hydrocarbons have higher concentrations of CO<sub>2<\/sub> accordingly. Some consider the need to concentrate the CO<sub>2<\/sub> via traditional processes, such as MEA, which is quite expensive. If using MEA, this would represent between three and five times the cost of applying CO<sub>2<\/sub> from a concentrated source, such as those named above \u2013 let&#8217;s say fermentation. Other novel or test applications are underway with so-called proprietary processes, including membrane and refrigeration systems. In my experience, however, new and novel means of concentrating the CO<sub>2<\/sub> are not commercially proven thus far.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, the economics behind what type of CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> source is used, is driven by the raw CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> content in the gas \u2013 source type, as well as the impurities found in this CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> source. If the source is relatively clean, and well concentrated, direct application for CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> fixation by certain algae strains is entirely feasible. Separately, when concentrating a flue gas v. using a highly concentrated source (chemical manufacturing by-product for example), the economics are like night and day.On the other hand, if these projects are DOE sponsored, or within the forthcoming greenhouse gas laws  and CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> emissions regulations call for economic considerations, perhaps the need for concentrating or refining is a viable possibility.<\/p>\n<p>It has been found that select strains of algae might be able to endure a harsher environment when applying directly a power plant based flue gas. It has been found that a broad spectrum of algae will not endure the SO<sub\/>x<\/sub> and NO<sub\/>x<\/sub> content of raw power plant flue gas; however, algae strains specifically defined as NANNO2 grew after a lag period of time when under 300 PPM of nitrogen oxide. Other results when applying direct power plant flue gas in this application of algae growth, specifically NANNP-2 and PHAEO-2 algae proved to be successful with the harsh power plant flue gas in an untreated state.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the above findings have proven well in a raceway type setting for algae cultivation, when diffusing  power plant flue gas v. using a refined and \/ or liquefied CO<sub\/>2<\/sub>. The other consideration, beyond algae type and growth tolerance in the direct flue gas setting, would be the availability of real estate or physical space for algae cultivation. This thought precipitates the question of transporting the CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> source to the algae cultivation site.<\/p>\n<p><strong>CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> Transportation and Algae Cultivation Sites<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Traditionally, CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> has been transported (via pipeline, truck and rail) in a liquid form; always purified when used in the merchant markets. The exception to much or any purification has been for EOR \u2013 enhanced oil recovery. It is important to remember that liquid CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> would represent a great deal more carbon dioxide presence v. simply trying to transport a gaseous, dilute, power plant product. The construction of a liquid carbon dioxide pipeline can easily run $1million per mile; and when transported as a liquid via pipeline, this distance can be substantial, these CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> pipelines which transport liquid to enhanced oil recovery (EOR) sites are often long distance lines, up to one hundred , and even hundreds of miles; this would require sufficient compression on the front end and compression sub-stations in route. As to the case when considering algae fixation as a means of sequestering CO<sub\/>2<\/sub>, and a further means of producing a substantial raw material for the manufacture of biodiesel, it is entirely technically feasible to transport CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> via pipeline. Consideration has been given to projects which use high pressure from enriched sources of CO<sub\/>2<\/sub>, such as fermentation for various destinations such as EOR. This concept could be applied to biodiesel in the fixation of algae with the CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> by-product. As to transport of raw flue gas long distances, I would say this may be entirely new for a project such as this. First, the question is whether or not the algae will endure the SO<sub\/>x<\/sub> and NO<sub\/>x<\/sub>, plus other constituents; however there is evidence, as outlined before, this is possible with select strains of algae. Next, capital cost considerations for compression and pipeline as the basic infrastructure would be necessary. In the end, since massive quantities of CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> from fossil fuel combustion in the power sector can amount to 20 million tons daily on a global scale \u2013 this is from a total amount emitted by all sources as 75 million tons of CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> daily. When taking this into consideration, all means of containing, sequestering, or fixing CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> via a environmentally friendly and extremely useful product such as algae is an extraordinary opportunity. The end result is twofold \u2013 the production of an extremely useful and rich in energy value v. grain and other organic matter feedstock materials such as soy and palm oil. Many of the test or small scale algae cultivation sites have occurred in a series of tubes, and bags, which have provided proof of growth capabilities. Larger scale cultivation of algae for energy sources, would probably occur  in ponds, or captive seaside facilities.  Please see caption number 1 as a conceptual flue gas from power plants for supply of carbon dioxide to the algae project.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ethanol \u2013 Algae \u2013 Biodiesel loop<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>An interesting concept, in coordination with the production of ethanol, or other enriched CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> sources, could be via a loop system, whereby CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> from the enriched source could supply algae the ever-important carbon dioxide ingredient, in conjunction with sunlight, water and nutrients; thus producing algae and the high energy oil from a specific algae for biodiesel. The same algae could be a feedstock for fermentation as well; thus creating a full loop system. Please see diagram number 1 to view this concept.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The greatest level of CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> content would be found among select by-product streams in the chemical manufacturing industry; and the larger scale plants are probably those to be targeted in the planned new legislation and EPA directives. The first 25,000 tons per year are exempt from any cap and trade, or other mechanism proposed by the House of Representatives and floating around in the EPA; however, other mechanisms beyond cap and trade may take place with the new CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> related directives. Therefore, the focus for greenhouse gas reduction as carbon dioxide alone will apply to larger industrial projects, power plants, chemical manufacturing, oil refining, cement plants, etc. If the source is enriched, such as fermentation, then a higher quality stream of CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> is available up to 99% by volume, with lower levels of impurities. If this stream is flue gas from power plants, the CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> content would probably not exceed 12 \u2013 15% by volume. In either case, we are working with a raw gas. If the CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> is liquefied and or purified, then a further investment is required; such as concentrating the weak CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> content in the flue gas off a power project or other large fossil fuel combustion project. The transportation of this raw gas would most likely take place as a pipeline operation; however, within a reasonable distance from the source to the algae fixation site would make the most sense \u2013 but long distance transportation is possible, at a price. The concepts surrounding the application of various forms of raw CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> feedstock for the algae project are entirely possible. However the more complex the treatment of the raw stream is, and the more distant the algae site is from the source; the economic feasibility becomes more challenging. Since such a large focus on (fossil fuel) based power plants is now underway, and since this is the largest single source type for global CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> emissions, the payback against the investment for the infrastructure surrounding CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> treatment and transportation, in the form of revenues from the sale of algae for biodiesel may well outweigh the challenges. This form of sequestering CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> is unique, since it represents carbon fixation in plant life, and it also is an ingredient essential for the growth of an energy rich product for the biofuels industry.<\/p>\n<p><strong>About the author<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sam A. Rushing is a chemist, and a consultant, as well as president of Advanced Cryogenics, Ltd., with decades long CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> and cryogenic gas expertise with the merchant sector and as an international cryogenic gas and CO<sub\/>2<\/sub> consultant, serving the biofuels, energy, and chemical industries. Advanced Cryogenics is celebrating a 20 year anniversary this year. e-mail: rushing@terranova.net , phone 305 852 2597.<\/p>\n<p>By the way, have you <a href=\"http:\/\/www.oilgae.com\/blog\/feed\/rss.xml\">subscribed to the Oilgae Blog?<\/a>; How about <a href=\"http:\/\/oilgae.com\/mlist\/user\/subscribe.php\">joining the Oilgae mailing list?<\/a>; and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.oilgae.com\/forum\">our forum to discuss on with others<\/a>?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You are at: Oilgae Blog. Contributed Post: SAM A. RUSHING ADVANCED CRYOGENICS, LTD. P.O. Box 419, Tavernier, FL 33070 USA Tel 305 852 2597 Fax 2598 rushing@terranova.net www.carbondioxideconsultants.com Background In the world of biofuels, algae is under the spotlight as a major destination of interest for CO2 usage from power and chemical projects, from the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-algae-co2-capture"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.oilgae.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1201","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.oilgae.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.oilgae.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.oilgae.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.oilgae.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1201"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/www.oilgae.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1201\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1795,"href":"http:\/\/www.oilgae.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1201\/revisions\/1795"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.oilgae.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1201"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.oilgae.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1201"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.oilgae.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1201"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}