ALTERNATIVA ENERGÉTICA. LAS ALGAS COMO BIOCOMBUSTIBLE EN LA AVIACIÓN

The business approach for future algae based biofules in aviation

Adeel Rafique. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (E.T.S.I.A.), Spain.

adeelrafique@gmail.com

 The intention is to achieve an Energy system that reduces the harmful Emissions drastically by having a Bio Fuels business Model that can be incorporated into the current Aerospace Industry. The business model involves identifying the ideal algae based biofuel grown in a controlled environment to be set up in waste lands. Intend is to come up with a global economic and logistic plan to support the energy needs of the aviation industry.

The business model involves the development of a new energy source by using genetically modified algae based biofuel; having a comparative value of `coefficient of fuel combustion’ as aviation fuel in an economically and ecologically sustainable manner. The value migration that results from this model can bring about immense changes in the aviation industry and society as a whole.

The core capabilities that biofuel business model projects are the substantial reduction in atmospheric pollution, economical development and thereby overall development of the air transport industry. Also, the new fuel does not require many modifications on the existing engine designs and configurations.

Figura 1. Análisis de CO2 del ciclo de biocombustible de algas como porcentaje de CO2 en ciclo entero respecto a combustible fósil.

The value configuration which makes the business model beneficial for the customers is cheaper energy source that is ecologically sustainable, efficient and fits in with the current economic and operational models of the customers.

The marketing and distribution channels can utilize the existing networks already put in place thereby requiring less additional resources. The business model directly appeals to the airlines which are already exploring and implementing greener alternatives to the fossil fuels.

The monetary consequences of the means employed in the business model directly leads to reduction of cost in air travel and an increase in revenue of airlines. The social impact can lead to poverty alleviation and arid land development.

 Carbon Footprint Analysis Of Algae Based Biofuel

In the algae based model, the main actors of the industrial process are almost the same but have a totally different function. In the production phase, the carbon emissions are much less than the current industrial petroleum industry. If the same amount of algae based fuel is to be produced as from the normal petroleum, the advantage is that the algae based system would consume approximately 13% carbon dioxide of the production from Petroleum since:

·         Micro-algae are much more efficient converters of solar energy than any known plant, because they grow in suspension where they have unlimited access to water and more efficient access to CO2 and dissolved nutrients.

·         The total oil content in algae can be up to 70% of their dry weight.

·         Micro-algae are the fastest growing photosynthesizing organisms. They can complete an entire growing cycle every few days.

·         120 tons of oil/hectare/year can be produced from algae.

·         Algae production can be increased by increasing the carbon dioxide concentration in the water.

·         One quad (1015 BTU or 7.5 billion gallons) of biodiesel could be produced on 200,000 hectors of desert land (equivalent to 772 sq. miles, roughly 500,000 acres).

 The transportation of algae based fuels to the main consumer sites can be efficient by using different modes of transportation like pipelines since sites of production can be well identified, producing carbon foot print as less as half if compared to the fossil fuel. Given in Figure1 is a comparative analysis between fossil fuel and algae based biofuel, about the carbon dioxide produced during one life cycle of unit fuel from production to burning.  

·         Micro algae utilise non arable land and hence do not compete with food crops.

·         Micro algae are capable of utilising CO2 from harmful flue gasses, thus reducing atmospheric CO2 levels and ultimately the global warming.

·         Micro algae are more effective converters of solar energy to organic energy.

·         Micro algae have a higher oil yield per unit area than oil crops.

·         Micro-algae can be grown in effluents resulting in bio-remediation.

·         The plan envisages a smooth transition from petroleum based aviation fuels to biojet, incorporated in stages and using the current infrastructure of the petroleum industry.

Figura 2. Comparación de las propiedades físicas de las algas como biocombustible y combustible fósil.

The main products are identified to be aviation grade algae biofuel, special algae based hydrocarbons to be used as additives if necessary and the biomass generated after the fuel separation. The economic benefits are immense given the fact that the world airline fleet would require about 400 billion litres of biojet fuel by 2020. The algae biojet is expected to be sold at the price of current jetfuel which scaled over the available market creates immense economic benefit. The biomass generated after fuel filtration can be marketed as animal feed and organic fertilizer generating additional income. In a world of ever more limited natural resources, algae technology offers the opportunity to utilize land and water resources that are, today, unsuited for any other use. Land usage needs for microalgae complement, rather than compete, with other biomass-based fuel technologies thus adding to the social benefits.