Biodiesel Production from Algae Oil

From last post, we know Algae can be produce become bio diesel oil. Here, I will share how to make Bio Diesel Fuel from Algae. One of process name for that, usually called Transesterification. Algae yields around 100,000 gallons of algae oil per year. In contrast, one acre of soybeans only produces about 50 gallons of soybean oil a year, while one acre of corn yields about 29 gallons of oil per year. The largest benefit to date is that the Algae farms can be built virtually anywhere.

Algae oil is highly viscous, with viscosities ranging 10–20 times those of no. 2 Diesel fuel. The high viscosity is due to the large molecular mass and chemical structure of oils which in turn leads to problems in pumping, combustion and atomization in the injector systems of a diesel engine. Therefore, a reduction in viscosity is important to make high-viscous oil a suitable alternative fuel for diesel engines.

There are a number of ways to reduce vegetable oil's viscosity. These methods include; transestrification, pyrolysis (Pyrolysis Definition from AFR), micro Emulsion (Emulsions & Emulsification – from Wikipedia), blending and thermal depolymerization. One of the most common methods used to reduce oil viscosity in the Biodiesel industry is called transesterification. It involves chemical conversion of the oil into its corresponding fatty ester.

Other methods of producing Bio-diesel from Algae Oil, other than transesterification, that have been considered to reduce the high viscosity of vegetable oil or algae oil are:

• Dilution of 25 parts of plant / algae oil with 75 parts of diesel fuel
• Micro emulsions with short chain alcohols (e.g. Ethanol or Methanol)
• Thermal decomposition, which produces alkanes, alkenes, carboxylic acids acids and aromatic compounds
• Catalytic cracking, which produces alkanes, cycloalkanes and alkybenzenes

However, when compared with the above, the Transesterification process appears to be the best choise, as the physical characteristics of fatty acid esters (bio diesel) are very close to those of diesel fuel, and the process is relative simple. Furthermore, the methyl or ethyl esters of fatty acids can be burned directly in unmodified diesel engines, with very low deposit.

Alternative Energy: Fuel From Algae

Maybe we rarely hear about Algae. But we just know it only in biology subject in the schools or collages. Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms. The largest and most complex marine forms are called seaweeds. They are photosynthetic, like plants, and "simple" because they lack the many distinct organs found in land plants. For that reason they are currently excluded from being considered plants.

Though the prokaryotic Cyanobacteria (commonly referred to as Blue-green Algae) were traditionally included as "Algae" in older textbooks, many modern sources regard this as outdated and restrict the term Algae to eukaryotic organisms. All true algae therefore have a nucleus enclosed within a membrane and chloroplasts bound in one or more membranes. Algae constitute a paraphyletic and polyphyletic group, as they do not include all the descendants of the last universal ancestor nor do they all descend from a common algal ancestor, although their chloroplasts seem to have a single origin.

Algae lack the various structures that characterize land plants, such as phyllids and rhizoids in nonvascular plants, or leaves, roots, and other organs that are found in tracheophytes. Many are photoautotrophic, although some groups contain members that are mixotrophic, deriving energy both from photosynthesis and uptake of organic carbon either by osmotrophy, myzotrophy, or phagotrophy. Some unicellular species rely entirely on external energy sources and have limited or no photosynthetic apparatus.

Nearly all algae have photosynthetic machinery ultimately derived from the Cyanobacteria, and so produce oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis, unlike other photosynthetic bacteria such as purple and green sulfur bacteria. Fossilized filamentous algae from the Vindhya basin have been dated back to 1.6 to 1.7 billion years ago.

The first alga to have its genome sequenced was Cyanidioschyzon merolae.

Today, Algae is one of alternative energy that can be used for renewable fuel. Energy from Algae presents an opportunity you cannot afford to ignore. Deriving energy from algae is considered the Holy Grail of alternative energy. Algae, a third-generation biofuel feedstock, present one of the most exciting possibilities as a future solution to our energy problems, especially that of transportation fuel. In the last few years, activity in this field has been accelerating fast.

Why are algae so exciting from a renewable energy standpoint? For a number of reasons :

• The yields of oil and fuels from algae are much higher (10-100 times) than competing energy crops
• Algae can grow practically anywhere, thus ensuring that there is no competition with food crops.
• Algae are excellent bio remediation agents - they have the potential to absorb massive amounts of CO₂ and can play an important role in sewage and wastewater treatment.
• Algae are the only feedstock that have the potential to completely replace world's consumption of transportation fuels.
• Algae are already being used in a wide variety of industries and applications, and many newer applications are being discovered. Such a wide range of end-uses enable companies to produce both fuels and non-fuel products from the same algae feedstock

Algae can produce several fuel products, there are:

• Bio diesel
  
• Hydrogen
• Methane
• Ethanol

Renewable Energy: Hydrogen Fuel

Today, the fossil fuel slowly depleted. All of researcher in the world has trying to find the others kind of fuel. Now, the researchers has one of new solution. Hydrogen Fuel.

Hydrogen is one of two natural elements that combine to make water. Hydrogen is not an energy source, but an energy carrier because it takes a great deal of energy to extract it from water. It is useful as a compact energy source in fuel cells and batteries. Many companies are working hard to develop technologies that can efficiently exploit the potential of hydrogen energy. This page lists articles about hydrogen fuel as an alternative energy source.

Hydrogen fuel enhancement is a term used to describe the use of a mixture of hydrogen and conventional hydrocarbon fuel in an internal combustion engine (ICE). The hydrogen can be stored as a second fuel, reformed from the conventional fuel, or in theory produced through the electrolysis of water.

There has been a great deal of research into fuel mixtures, such as gasoline and nitrous oxide injection. Mixtures of hydrogen and hydrocarbons is no exception. These sources suggested that there could be fuel efficiency saving and reduced emission through the addition of hydrogen to conventional fuels. For example, one research project added hydrogen to an automobile engine to run the engine leaner:

Lean-mixture-ratio combustion in internal-combustion engines has the potential of producing low emissions and higher thermal efficiency for several reasons. First, excess oxygen in the charge further oxidizes unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. Second, excess oxygen lowers the peak combustion temperatures, which inhibits the formation of oxides of nitrogen. Third, the lower combustion temperatures in­crease the mixture specific heat ratio by decreasing the net dissociation losses. Fourth, as the specific heat ratio increases, the cycle thermal efficiency also increases, which gives the potential for better fuel economy.

Many of these sources have also warn that it would require modifications in ICE's air/fuel ration, engine timing, and other design elements to realize these advantages. This would be expected for any change in an engines fuel composition.

Hydrogen fuel enhancement from electrolysis has been promoted for use with diesel trucks and often with adaptation of the water-fuelled cars scam. However recent tests by consumer watch groups have shown negative results.

High Efficiency Energy Saving Lamp

• High energy saving • Protection of eyes • Very quick installation
• Extended life span of 15000 hrs • High lighting quality • Improved power factor

Saving Comparison Table
* Depending on the fitting, deviation are possible
		CASE STUDY
		Consider the case of a office in the building with a total of 1000 luminaries using existing lighting of 36W T8 fluorescent lamps and standard electromagnetic ballast. With the T5 Fixture, we can convert the existing system to energy efficient system and calculate the electricity costs saved by the T5 tube. Many enterprises are aware that their electricity bill is a large portion of their total operating cost, the application of T5 Fixture is simple. The saving rates guaranteed, thus adding to your bottom line profits.
The calculation is based on 24 operation hours per day and 365 days per years for 1000pcs of fluorescent lamp. Electricity cost per unit (kWh) is $0.3045 Energy Saving Per Fitting = 48W – 28W = 20W Energy Saving Per day = 20W x 24 hrs x 1000pcs = 480 kWh Energy Saving Annually = 480 kWh x 365 days = 175,200 kWh Amount Saved Per Year = 175,200 kWh x $0.3045 = $53,348.40

More: Home Energy Audit (Energy Star, US Only)

Home Energy Audits

A home energy audit is often the first step in making your home more efficient. An audit can help you assess how much energy your home uses and evaluate what measures you can take to improve efficiency. But remember, audits alone don't save energy. You need to implement the recommended improvements. ENERGY STAR provides extensive information about home improvement projects to enhance energy efficiency, lower utility bills, and increase comfort.

You can perform a simple energy audit yourself, or have a professional energy auditor perform a more thorough audit.

Do-It-Yourself Audits

If you have five minutes and your last 12 months of utility bills, use the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick to compare your home's energy efficiency to similar homes across the country and get recommendations for energy-saving home improvements from ENERGY STAR. You will also need to enter some basic information about your home (such as zip code, age, square footage, and number of occupants). If you don't have your bills, contact your utility for a 12-month summary.

Hire a Professional Home Energy Auditor

If you are interested in getting specific recommendations for improving the efficiency of your home, consider contacting a professional Home Energy Auditor. A professional auditor can use a variety of techniques and equipment to determine the energy efficiency of your home. Thorough audits often use equipment such as blower doors, which measure the extent of leaks in the building envelope, and infrared cameras, which reveal hard-to-detect areas of air infiltration and missing insulation.

Your first step should be to contact your utility to see if they offer free or discounted energy audits to their customers. If not, you can hire a home energy professional, such as a certified Home Energy Rater, to evaluate your home's energy efficiency.

To find a Home Energy Rater, visit the ENERGY STAR for Homes Partner Locator.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

Where available, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR can help you cost-effectively improve your home's energy efficiency. Specially-trained contractors evaluate your home using state-of-the-art equipment, recommend comprehensive improvements that will yield the best results, and help you to get the work done.

Find out if Home Performance with ENERGY STAR is offered near you.

Simple Home Energy Audit

An energy audit is an inspection, survey and analysis of energy flows in a building, process or system with the objective of understanding the energy dynamics of the system under study. Typically an energy audit is conducted to seek opportunities to reduce the amount of energy input into the system without negatively affecting the output(s). When the object of study is an occupied building then reducing energy consumption while maintaining or improving human comfort, health and safety are of primary concern. Beyond simply identifying the sources of energy use, an energy audit seeks to prioritize the energy uses according to the greatest to least cost effective opportunities for energy savings.

Home Energy Audit

An energy audit of a home may involve recording various characteristics of the building envelope including the walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, and skylights. For each of these components the area and resistance to heat flow (R-value) is measured or estimated. The leakage rate or infiltration of air through the building envelope is of concern which are strongly affected by window construction and quality of door seals such as weatherstripping. The goal of this exercise is to quantify the building's overall thermal performance. A simplified approach called the UA delta-T method [1] can be used for good approximate results. The audit may also assess the efficiency, physical condition, and programming of mechanical systems such as the heating, ventilation, air conditioning equipment, and thermostat.

A home energy audit may include a written report estimating energy use given local climate criteria, thermostat settings, roof overhang, and solar orientation. This could show energy use for a given time period, say a year, and the impact of any suggested improvements per year. The accuracy of energy estimates are greatly improved when the homeowner's billing history is available showing the quantities of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, or other energy sources consumed over a one or two-year period.

Some of the greatest effects on energy use are user behavior, climate, and age of the home. An energy audit may therefore include an interview of the homeowners to understand their patterns of use over time. The energy billing history from the local utility company can be calibrated using heating degree day and cooling degree day data obtained from recent, local weather data in combination with the thermal energy model of the building. Advances in computer-based thermal modeling can take into account many variables affecting energy use.

A home energy audit is often used to identify cost effective ways to improve the comfort and efficiency of buildings. In addition, homes may qualify for tax credits from local and central governments.

Free energy audits from your utility company are a popular way to save up to 30% on your energy bill... but you can always do it yourself! See it on this video below.

Simple Way to Save Energy

With the cost of energy skyrocketing, many people are turning to things like solar to shave their power bills. But you donate have to spend 10s of thousands of dollars to make a difference. Money reporter Stacy Johnson explains how little things can make a big difference.

Energy Saving For Pump and Fan Application

This one of ways to saving your energy. Usually this applicable at industrial and building. On that application, 72% of electricity consumed is used to turn motors. You can follow me save our world by saving the energy, by click here and find out more.

If you have any questions or you need the details, don't hesitate to contact me.

Identify Hidden Cost in Mechatronic System

When first time I work in EPC company, I had nothing experience about mechatronics system. Nevertheless, I'm studied it hard. Now, I can know all things about it.

Now, I has found hidden energy saving system in mechantronic system. I never realize that, but it's true. You and I can identify hidden cost and make the most of potential savings.

This saving can be used in industrial appliance like convenience food, pharmacy and process integrator. Please click here to find more about mechatronics energy savings. I got it from Sartorius Mechatronic System, German company.

Energy Saving Calculator Software for Motor (Pump & Fans) Application

I had got it from Schneider Electric. Please click here for download.

Please use it wisely. This software has more powerful tools for energy saving calculation in motor and pump application, usually called HVAC Application.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Energy Saving Calculator for Motor (Pump & Fans) Application

I have some reference for saving Calculation for Motor (Pump & Fans). Usually, this called HVAC Application. I had this calculation from Schneider Electric

Reference curves

Active power consumed by a frequency converter associated with a variable load torque (quadratic) load can be calculated as shown below.

The load torque can be defined

in the following way (mechanical friction is ignored):

C = k1 x n^2 (1)

with n = Motor rot

ation speed
k1 = Constant (varies as a function of application type)

Mechanical power of this drive is:

P = C x n
...using here expressi

on (1), we obtain:

P = k1 x n^3

In addition, the frequency converter supplies electrical power to the motor at efficiency of around 97%:

P SPEED DRIVE = P / 0.97

Mechanical power required to obtain a given flow is extracted from the following POWER-FLOW curves:

Fans

Flow	Downstream	Upstream	Variable speed drive
10	0.18	0.34	0.1
20	0.36	0.36	0.1
30	0.55	0.39	0.1
40	0.71	0.42	0.13
50	0.85	0.46	0.18
60	0.92	0.51	0.24
70	0.98	0.57	0.37
80	1	0.64	0.54
90	1	0.76	0.77
100	1	1	1

Pumping

Flow	Recirculation	With valve	Variable speed drive
10	0.71	0.39	0.1
20	0.79	0.49	0.1
30	0.86	0.58	0.1
40	0.9	0.68	0.13
50	0.94	0.75	0.18
60	0.97	0.82	0.24
70	0.98	0.89	0.37
80	0.99	0.94	0.54
90	1	1	0.77
100	1	1	1

For a valve according to manometric height H (with variable speed drive) :

Flow	H=0	H=0.5	H=0.85
10	0.06	0.15	0.35
20	0.08	0.18	0.37
30	0.1	0.22	0.41
40	0.11	0.27	0.45
50	0.13	0.35	0.52
60	0.22	0.43	0.58
70	0.34	0.53	0.66
80	0.51	0.66	0.78
90	0.73	0.82	0.9
100	1	1	1

The inclusion of a variable speed drive can satisfy these requirements by eliminating the use of control valves, which operate by reducing the effective cross-section of the pipe.

In addition, variation in motor efficiency as a function of its speed must be taken into account. To determine motor efficiency at a given speed, the following EFFICIENCY-SPEED curve is used:

Speed	Efficiency
10	0.7
20	0.78
30	0.85
40	0.89
50	0.93
60	0.96
70	0.97
80	0.98
90	0.99
100	1

Formulas

Without variable speed drive, active power consumed by a motor driving a pump or fan will therefore be:

P WITHOUT SPEED DRIVE = P RATED MOTOR x (1/s) x (I / In) x f1(Q)

... with s = Rated efficiency of motor according to speed

I / In = Current absorbed by the motor at 100% load / rated current

f1(Q) = Power as a function of flow for a fan or pump (see curves above for precise values)

The reactive power is obtained as follows:

Q = P WITHOUT SPEED DRIVE x (sin phi/cos phi)

With variable speed drive, active power consumed by a motor driving a pump or fan for a given flow will therefore be:

P WITH SPEED DRIVE = P RATED MOTOR x 1/s x (I / In) x f2(Q) x 1/v x f3(Q)

... with f2(Q) = Power as a function of flow with variable speed drive (see curves above for precise values)

f3(Q) = Efficiency as a function of speed (see curves above for precise values)

w = Motor efficiency correction factor as a function of speed
v = Variable speed drive efficiency

Reactive power consumption of the motor-variable speed drive assembly is zero.

When calculation of power consumed for a given flow has been completed, just multiply this by the number of hours of operation at this flow to obtain the energy consumption. The final result is obtained by adding together all the energy consumptions obtained for the various flows.

Energy Saving Calculator for Lighting System

Here I had found some link that very usable for you if you want to know more about energy saving calculation and virtual appliance for lighting system. I found it from GE Lighting System and OSRAM.

For virtual appliance, you can click here for design for your living room with light based on Room Selection.

For Cost of Light Calculation, you can click here for make comparison.

You can use OSRAM CFL Energy Saver Calculation Tool for Customer, click here.

OSRAM DULUX SUPERSTAR

OSRAM DULUX SUPERSTAR meets the highest standards in quality and durability. Production processes based on the most cutting-edge technologies ensure a lifespan of up to ten years. Integrated Quickstart technology provides a rapid increase in luminous flux after power-on.

* Lifespan of up to 10 years
* Five-year guarantee
* Up to 80 percent less energy consumed than by conventional bulbs
* Patented Quickstart technology
* With E14 and E27 screw base
* From 8 to 24 W

OSRAM DULUXSTAR

OSRAM DULUXSTAR is the energy-saving lamp that slots into everyday life. A wide variety of compact versions ensure that even your smallest light source can become a big electricity saver. No matter what the size, DULUXSTAR burns bright for up to six years.

* Lifespan of up to 6 years
* Three-year guarantee
* Up to 80 percent less energy consumed than by conventional bulbs
* Wide range of different shapes
* With E14 and E27 screw base
* From 5 to 24 W, 30 W

For You can use OSRAM CFL Energy Saver Calculation Tool for Professional, click here.

OSRAM DULUX EL LONGLIFE

With up to 500,000 switching cycles and an extra long average life of 15,000 hours OSRAM DULUX EL LONGLIFE lamps meet the highest demands in terms of frequent switching and durability - in the professional/commercial sector and for high-quality domestic applications.

* Lifespan of up to 15,000 hours
* with an E14, E27 or B22d base
* in various sizes and wattages from 3 to 30 W
* in warm white, cool white and daylight colors
* also as Globe and Reflector versions

OSRAM DULUX EL

With more than 10,000 switching cycles and a long average life of 10,000 hours OSRAM DULUX EL lamps are the entry-level products for professional requirements in terms of frequent switching and durability.

* Lifespan of up to 10,000 hours
* with an E14, E27 or B22d base
* in various sizes and wattages from 5 to 24 W
* in warm white, cool white and daylight colors
* as CLASSIC A, CLASSIC B and Globe lamps

Energy Saving: Lighting Calculation (Unpredictable But Significant)

When I ask to all my friends, my clients and my customers, are you have been saved energy from lighting system? All of them answered the result of saving from lamps or lighting system was not significant. Why? Because lamps just a little loads compare than others loads (motors, fans, pumps, etc). Yes, that's true. But otherwise, it's FALSE!!!

Why? Let's see the calculation example below after you read where are the energy saving placed.

In Lighting Systems, there are many way's to save the energies if we know and how to do that. I'll try to explain it in details.



Where are the saving placed ?



1. Lighting Control

• Timer Switches to turn off lights after a fixed period has passed
• Occupancy sensor / movement detectors to turn off lights when no movement has been detected for a certain period
• Photoelectric cells / daylight harvesting sensor to control lights near windows. When bright exterior light is available, lamps are turned off or dimmed
• Programmable timers to switch lights on and off at predetermined times
• Dimmable light to maintain a low level of illumination at off-peak periods
• Voltage regulators to optimize the power consumed. Ballast perform this function on fluorescent lighting. Voltage regulators are also available for other lighting types such as high pressure sodium lamps.

2. Types of Lamps

Nowadays, there are a lot of types of lamps. But, we not realize that each of lamps have different characteristic and specification. For the example, the old fluorescent lamp, with T12, usually have rated power up to 40W. Today, with same intensity output of light, you can use T8 with rated power up to 36W. The conclusion is you must know about the characteristic and the specification of lamp that will be used.


3. Reflectors



Around 70% of fluorescent tube's light is directed sideways and upwards to the light fittings surfaces.


High efficiency reflector has a spectral efficiency of over 90%. This means two lamps may be replaced by a single lamps. In this way it's possible to reduce energy costs attributed to lighting by 50% or more.




4. Changing Conventional Ballast (Electromagnetic) With Electronic Ballast

Conventional Ballast have power factor (cos phi) up to 0.45.
Electronic Ballast have power factor (cos phi) up to 0.95.
What are the differences? See the calculation in end of this page.


5. Don't want to change Conventional Ballast (Economics reasons), Use Special Capacitor For Lamps

If you don't want to change Conventional Ballast because you have economic reasons (usually for home application), I have the alternatives. Use Special Capacitor for lamps. This capacitor had special schematic wiring diagram, so why you must use Special Capacitor for lamps.

Conventional Ballast without special capacitor have power factor (cos phi) up to 0.45.
Conventional Ballast with special capacitor have power factor (cos phi) up to 0.95.
What are the differences? See the calculation in end of this page.



Near from the end, The Real Calculation...

When I go with my friend to one of his customer, I just ask for their existing lighting system. They says that using all systems as similar as my design system before I explain my design to them. But they have some systems that still not applicable yet. They said that after used the lighting system, they can save the electrical bills up to 50% / months. I'm aghast with their statement. It's same with my calculation that shown below.

For this calculation, electricity rate was from my region / my country electricity goverment factory. The calculation was only in one point that include two lamps in one housing / fitting. Power of each lamp was 4o Watt, works in 220VAC 50Hz. And applicable for industrial and home applicances.

• USING CONVENTIONAL BALLAST NOR SPECIAL CAPACITOR AND T12 40W LAMP (pf = 0.45)

I = (2 x 40W) : (220 VAC x 0.45) = 0.808 A
P = 0.808 x 220VAC = 177.76 Watt
Electricity used per month (1 kWh = Rp. 480.-)
12 hours / day x 30 days x 177.76 Watt = 63,993.6 Watt.Hours = 63.994 kWh
Electricity bill per month (exclude basic load type value bill):
Rp. 480.- x 63.994 kWh = Rp. 30,716.93

• USING ELECTRONIC BALLAST OR SPECIAL CAPACITOR AND T8 36W LAMP(pf = 0.95)

I = (2 x 36W) : (220 VAC x 0.95) = 0.344 A
P = 0.344 x 220VAC = 75.68 Watt
Electricity used per month (1 kWh = Rp. 480.-)
12 hours / day x 30 days x 84.26 Watt = 27,244.8 Watt.Hours = 27.245 kWh
Electricity bill per month (exclude basic load type value bill):
Rp. 480.- x 30.334 kWh = Rp. 13,077.6

TOTAL SAVING PER MONTH
Rp. 30,716.93 - Rp. 13,077.6 = Rp. 17,639.33

It's means you can save 57.43% / month

If you needs the details, please contact me.