Algae Based Glycerin Fuel Project

Climate change and global warming are a worldwide concern, and utilizing alternative fuels is one way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. Microalgae are promising as a potential replacement for fossil fuels via biofuels. This study was aimed to show that the microalga Dunaliella tertiolecta is a viable species for biofuel production in the form of glycerin. Glycerin is an inexpensive fuel of moderately high viscosity and is a potential fuel replacement of heavy fuel used in large diesel engines. The project developed experimental methods, calibration protocols, culture media and equipment to grow Dunaliella tertiolecta and study its glycerin production properties. Both batch style benchtop and continuous through flow systems were developed at model scale as part of this effort. The continuous flow models were used to model a typical farm operation by flowing the media continuously though a system, which can monitor growth rate, glycerin production and feed nutrients to the “farm” pond. The benchtop system was used for fundamental studies on the growth rate and glycerin production rate. This system was used to study the effects of salinity shocking on glycerin production, which the study concluded as an effective method for boosting glycerin production. These results could be applied to an algae farm for increasing production and profitability.

• Record URL:
  https://mainemaritime.edu/metel/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/04/Algae-Project-Final-Report.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/62409
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This research was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  Marine Engine Testing and Emissions Laboratory

  Maine Maritime Academy
  Castine, ME  United States  04420

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Kimball, Richard
  • Somers, Hannah
• Publication Date: 2019-4-30

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 26p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternate fuels; Biomass fuels; Marine diesel engines; Production methods
• Uncontrolled Terms: Glycerin; Microalgae
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01705202
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: METEL-2014P784
• Contract Numbers: DTRT13-G-UTC43
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: May 22 2019 4:40PM