Fuel derived from renewable resources present an attractive alternative to petroleum, with benefits ranging from reduced green house gases to reduced dependency on foreign oil.
Fuels derived from terrestrial or aquatic biomass provides a unique alternative to food based energy crops. Algae are a potential source of renewable energy, and they can be converted into energy such as biofuel oil and gas. These tiny biological factories use photosynthesis to transform carbon dioxide and sunlight into energy so efficiently that they can double their weight several times a day.
Algae Biofuel is a course that provides an overview of algal production technology and the main processes, such as thermochemical, chemical and biochemical conversion of microalgae becoming energy, that results in the production of bio-oil, biodiesel, and ethanol, methane and hydrogen, respectively. This course also reviews leading research companies and government agencies that are funding efforts to reduce capital and operating costs and make algae fuel production commercially viable.
After completing Algae Biofuel students will be equipped with a basic understanding of the following:
- aquatic biomass
- algae production processes
- fuel derived from algae
- research efforts
- commercial outlook
A general understanding of chemistry and/or biology is recommended
Students will be assigned 5 homework assignments, and 1 final exam for each course.
Introduction
- Biofuels overview
- Conventional biomass
- Aquatic biomass
Algae Types
- Botryococcus braunii
- Chlorella
- Dunaliella tertiolecta
- Gracilaria
- Pleurochrysis carterae
- Sargassum
Algae Cultivation
- Environmental conditions
- Open pond
- Closed loop system
- Photobioreactors
Algae Biofuel Product & Processes
- Chemical processes
- Bio-diesel
- Thermochemical processes
- Biochemical processes
- Bio-ethanol
- Bio-butanol
- Bio-methanol
- Bio-hydrogen
Research Efforts
Commercial Outlook
This course is Instructor-led and delivered through our award-winning online Learning Management System.