Microalgae And Corn Ethanol

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Detailed Outline Name: Chaw Siew Wei Group: M5 Area: Biofuels Research Question: Is algae a viable source of energy to corn ethanol as biofuel as an energy source for vehicle? Introduction * Microalgae are sunlight-driven cell factories that convert carbon dioxide to potential biofuels, foods, feeds and high-value bioactives. * It contains lipids and fatty acids as membrane components, storage products, metabolites and sources of energy. Algal strains, diatoms, and Cyanobacteria (categorized collectively as ”Micro-algae” )have been found to contain proportionally high levels of lipids(over 30%) * Ethanol production is a growing industry in the United States, where corn is the feedstock used to produce approximately 90% of fuel ethanol. The average value of energy output/input ratio is 1.57 and 1.77 for the wet-milling and dry-grind ethanol processes, respectively. The aim of the research is to identify whether algae or corn ethanol is a better biofuel as an energy source for vehicle. Chemical Concept Theory Behind Production of Microalgae In transestrification, triglycerides are reacted with methanol which is the least expensive alcohol to produce methyl esters of fatty acids, that are biodiesel, and glycerol. Parent oil used in making biodiesel consists of triglycerides in which three fatty acid molecules are esterified with a molecule of glycerol. It is catalyzed by acids, alkalis and lipase enzymes. Biodiesel is recovered by repeated washing with water to remove glycerol and methanol. Fig. B1. Transesterification of oil to biodiesel. R1–3 are hydrocarbon groups Theory Behind Conversion of Corn to Ethanol Structure and Composition of the Corn Ethanol Corn kernels contain approximately 70% starch, 9% protein, 4% fat and oil, and 9% fiber on a dry basis. Most corn grown for ethanol production is #2 yellow dent corn. Energy is stored
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