Hypothesis
If a four-step, energy efficient process can be developed that cultivates, harvests, extracts, and transesterifies algae into biofuel, then an algae biodiesel can be produced that is economically and environmentally sustainable.
1. If Spirogyra is grown in a photoautotrophic bioreactor, engineered to filter the visible light wavelengths into the red-orange light spectrum utilizing Neon gas, the blue-green light spectrum utilizing Helium gas, and a natural light spectrum, then the Spirogyra cultivated under the red-orange light spectrum will produce the highest algae biomass yield as the red-orange light will provide the greatest penetration of light energy through algae’s cell wall.
2. If the pH level of Spirogyra’s growing solution is increased through the addition of Sodium Carbonate, and Iron powder is utilized as the flocculant, then the matrixes formed between the algae and flocculant will increase producing a chemically-free biomass slurry that is prime for lipid extraction.
3. If Spirogyra’s cell wall can be fractured to release the lipids using a three-fold critical cell disruption process that engages osmotic shock, homogenization and sonication, then the high-energy costs associated with drying the biomass, chemical infusion, and solvent recovery will be avoided.
4. If the lipids extracted from the biomass are transesterified using a homogeneous base catalysis under ultrasonic, homogenization conditions, then the reaction time and static time will be reduced producing an economically feasible, renewable biofuel.
1. If Spirogyra is grown in a photoautotrophic bioreactor, engineered to filter the visible light wavelengths into the red-orange light spectrum utilizing Neon gas, the blue-green light spectrum utilizing Helium gas, and a natural light spectrum, then the Spirogyra cultivated under the red-orange light spectrum will produce the highest algae biomass yield as the red-orange light will provide the greatest penetration of light energy through algae’s cell wall.
2. If the pH level of Spirogyra’s growing solution is increased through the addition of Sodium Carbonate, and Iron powder is utilized as the flocculant, then the matrixes formed between the algae and flocculant will increase producing a chemically-free biomass slurry that is prime for lipid extraction.
3. If Spirogyra’s cell wall can be fractured to release the lipids using a three-fold critical cell disruption process that engages osmotic shock, homogenization and sonication, then the high-energy costs associated with drying the biomass, chemical infusion, and solvent recovery will be avoided.
4. If the lipids extracted from the biomass are transesterified using a homogeneous base catalysis under ultrasonic, homogenization conditions, then the reaction time and static time will be reduced producing an economically feasible, renewable biofuel.