This project investigated the use of Cutrine plus and copper sulfate for the disruption of algal biomass. The chemicals effectively disrupted algae cells, enhancing lipid extraction. The quantity of lipid extracted increased by about 30% for disrupted samples. Moreover, the estimated energy input, GHG emission, and operating cost for the proposed cell disruption method were lower than those for the existing methods. The estimated energy inputs were 5 to 300 times lower than those for the existing methods, while the GHG emissions were 8 to 600 times lower. On the basis of operating cost, copper sulfate ranked at 30 percentile and Cutrine plus at 60 percentile compared to the existing methods.
Despite these advantages, the adaption of the method may be limited by the extended (about 24-hour) contact time required to achieve significant increase in lipid extraction. Moreover, algal biofuel is not currently competitive with petroleum-based fuels, mainly due to cost and energy intensity. The integration of algal biofuel production with waste treatment systems was recommended to address this challenge. The integration could allow for the recovery and unitization of resources contained in various waste streams.
If these challenges are addressed with future research efforts, then algal biofuel can provide several potential benefits: a) it has an estimated GHG emissions of 55.25 gCO2-e/MJ of biodiesel produced, which is below the California Health & Safety requirement of 83.25 gCO2-eq/MJ for diesel substitute. b) it has lower water consumption intensity than the majority of feedstocks used or considered for biofuel production. c) the industry could create about 72,000 jobs in California. d) it could enhance natural resources preservation by recovering and utilizing resources contained in various waste streams.
