The Effect of Salt Concentration in Chlorella sp’s Environment on its Algal Biofuel Energy Output

School Name

Spring Valley High School

Grade Level

11th Grade

Presentation Topic

Environmental Science

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Abstract

Alternative sources of energy have become an increasingly popular topic of study due to its renewability and cleanliness. One very new, yet promising alternative source of energy is algal biofuels. Algal biofuels are capable of producing incredibly high amounts of lipids, with a fast growth rate, and under almost any growth condition. In comparison to other biofuels, algal biofuels are superior in almost every way. Algae has a variety of byproducts that can be used for so many commercial applications. Some of these applications include feed, food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and biofuels. However, biofuels currently do not meet the energy return on investment (EROI), meaning it takes more energy to make than it creates. Having an EROI below one is the primary reason that algal biofuels lack viability currently. However, if parameters of the biofuel production process or algal growth process are optimized, it is possible that the EROI could be greater. This study’s purpose was to compare the effect of salt concentration on Chlorella sp.’s growth environment on its algal biofuel energy production. It was hypothesized that the salt concentration of 45 gL-1 would produce the greatest energy output as a biofuel. For this experiment’s procedure Chlorella sp. was grown in varying salt concentrations (i.e. 0 gL-1, 15gL-1, 45 gL-1). After 7 days the Chlorella sp. was dried and lipids were attempted to be extracted. However, error occurred with the lipid extraction techniques and data was unable to be collected. This study analyzes what failed in this experiment and the causes of error. It is believed that the current microwave-assisted lipid extraction (MALE) method is unsafe, so a modified MALE was used. However, this failed so it is likely a double solvent extraction method is most viable.

Location

RITA 152

Start Date

3-23-2024 11:15 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 23rd, 11:15 AM

The Effect of Salt Concentration in Chlorella sp’s Environment on its Algal Biofuel Energy Output

RITA 152

Alternative sources of energy have become an increasingly popular topic of study due to its renewability and cleanliness. One very new, yet promising alternative source of energy is algal biofuels. Algal biofuels are capable of producing incredibly high amounts of lipids, with a fast growth rate, and under almost any growth condition. In comparison to other biofuels, algal biofuels are superior in almost every way. Algae has a variety of byproducts that can be used for so many commercial applications. Some of these applications include feed, food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and biofuels. However, biofuels currently do not meet the energy return on investment (EROI), meaning it takes more energy to make than it creates. Having an EROI below one is the primary reason that algal biofuels lack viability currently. However, if parameters of the biofuel production process or algal growth process are optimized, it is possible that the EROI could be greater. This study’s purpose was to compare the effect of salt concentration on Chlorella sp.’s growth environment on its algal biofuel energy production. It was hypothesized that the salt concentration of 45 gL-1 would produce the greatest energy output as a biofuel. For this experiment’s procedure Chlorella sp. was grown in varying salt concentrations (i.e. 0 gL-1, 15gL-1, 45 gL-1). After 7 days the Chlorella sp. was dried and lipids were attempted to be extracted. However, error occurred with the lipid extraction techniques and data was unable to be collected. This study analyzes what failed in this experiment and the causes of error. It is believed that the current microwave-assisted lipid extraction (MALE) method is unsafe, so a modified MALE was used. However, this failed so it is likely a double solvent extraction method is most viable.