(768d) Effect of Storage Conditions On Extraction of Algal Carbohydrates and Oils for Biofuel Production

There are several environmentally sound reasons to use algae as a feedstock for biofuels. The fact that they are readily abundant, can absorb unwanted elements out of waste water, and can use carbon dioxide as a carbon source are just a few of the reasons that algae are being examined as one of the most likely medium to replace petroleum fuels. An issue of some concern is that microalgae have a high rate of growth in the summer and lower rates in the winter, which can cause a depletion of feedstock for a bioreactor. In order to facilitate localized bioreactors that can operate year-round, the extraction of lipids and carbohydrate from algae stored for approximately 3 months to 1 year.  Samples were harvested from water at a wastewater treatment plant as part of a water remediation process.  In our study, it was observed that samples could be stored for up to 200 days without appreciable decreases in carbohydrate content.  In addition, processing variables including moisture content, concentration of algae, and concentration of sulfuric acid were examined in addition to the production of butanol.