Algae For Entrepreneurs Table of Contents 

Acknowledgements . 10  

INTRODUCTION .. 11  

Purpose of This Book .. 14  

Forward by Dr. Mark Edwards of the “Green Algae Strategy” Series . 15  

• Commercial Uses of Algae Overview ... 18  
• What Is Algae? . 19  
• Algae’s Competitive Advantages:22  
• 10 Algae Market Predictions for the Future .. 23  
• Biofuels Market Overview ... 27  

• Advantages of Using Algae as Biofuels:29  
• Microalgae .. 29  
• Microalgae Strains . 29  
• Macroalgae . 31  
• Preferred Geographic Regions for Algae Production .. 33  
• Seasonal Considerations . 34  
• Carbon Dioxide . 34  

Making Biofuels Using Algae .. 40  

• Algae Biofuels overview:40  
• Algae Production Systems Currently in Use .. 41  
• Photobioreactors . 41  
• Why Use a PBR? . 41  
• PBR Advantages and Disadvantages . 42  
• How to Use Bioreactors Successfully .. 43  
• Open pond systems . 44  
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Open Ponds . 44  
• How to Use Open Ponds Successfully .. 45  

Overview of Algae Harvesting Technologies . 46  

• Flocculation and Sedimentation .. 47  
• Flocculation and Dissolved Air Flotation .. 48  
• Filtration .. 48  
• Centrifugation .. 49  
• Other Harvesting Techniques . 49  
• Drying . 49  
• Approaches for Macro algae .. 49  
• Harvesting . 49  
• Preprocessing . 50  
• Systems Engineering . 51  
• Preliminary Look at Energy Balance . 51  

Overview of Oil Extraction Technologies . 53  

• Current Practices for Lipid Extraction .. 53  
• Mechanical Disruption (i.e., Cell Rupture) . 54  
• Organic Co-solvent Mixtures . 55  
• Application of Organic Two-Solvent Systems for Lipid Extraction from Microalgae:56  
• Direct Transesterification of Lipids into Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMES) . 56  
• Selective Extraction .. 58  
• Subcritical Water Extraction .. 58  
• Supercritical Fluid Extraction .. 59  
• Heterotrophic Production .. 60  
• Challenges . 60 
• Presence of Water Associated with the Biomass . 60  
• Separation of Desired Extracts from Solvent Stream ... 61  
• Energy Consumption and Water Recycle . 61  

Part Three…Producing Biofuels . 62  

• Producing Biodiesel . 63  
• Biogas . 65  
• What Is Biogas? . 65  
• Market Outlook for Biogas . 65  
• Biogas is a Form of Renewable Energy .. 65  
• Production of Biogas . 66  
• Benefits of Using Biogas . 68  
• Biogas Production by Anaerobic Digestion .. 69  
• Biogas Production by Pyrolysis / Gasification .. 70  
• Liquefaction .. 71  
• Supercritical Processing . 72  
• Anaerobic Digestion of Whole Algae . 74  
• Conversion of Algal Extracts . 74  
• Chemical Transesterification .. 74  
• Biochemical (Enzymatic) Conversion .. 76  
• Catalytic Cracking . 77  
• Conversion to Renewable Diesel, Gasoline, and Jet Fuel78  
• Processing of Algal Remnants after Extraction .. 79  

Bio Hydrogen Production from Algae .. 79  

• Biochemical Processes . 81  
• Gasification .. 81  
• Steam Reformation of Methane and Hydrogen .. 81  
• Using Algae for Ethanol Production .. 82  
• Process of Ethanol Production by Fermentation. 85  
• Ethanol  Production from De-oiled Algae . 86  
• Biobutanol: The Biofuel No One is Talking About . 87  
• Bio-Oil Production .. 88  
• Challenges to Algae to Biofuel Commercialization.89  
• Feed stock Challenges.89  
• Conversion Challenges . 89  
• Infrastructure Challenges . 90  
• Algae production Costs and Uncertainties . 91  

Bio-fuel Grants and Tax Incentives . 92  

• Incentives . 92  
• Laws and Regulations . 103  
• Renewable Fuels Assessment . 111  
• Programs . 111  
• Companies in the USA Involved in Algae Fuel Production .. 118 

Making Bio-plastics . 123  

• Bio Plastics from Algae .. 123  
• Market Overview ... 124  
• Types of Algal Bio-plastics . 126  
• Applications of Bio-plastics . 128  
• Disposable Plastic Products . 128  

Use of Algae in Waste Water Treatment . 133  

• Role of Algae in Waste Stabilization Pond Systems - WSPs . 135  
• Role of Algae in High Rate Algal Ponds –HRAP .. 135  
• Advantages of Waste water Treatment Using Algae . 135  
• Applications of Waste water Grown Algae . 136  
• Integration with Water Treatment Facilities . 136  
• Wastewater Treatment and Recycling Applications . 137  
• Algae Production Techniques for Wastewater Treatment Plants . 137  
• Treatment of Organic Wastewaters for Algae Production .. 138  
• Treatment of Inorganic Wastewaters for Algae Production .. 139  

Concept of Bio-fertilizers and Algae .. 141  

• Types and Applications of Algae Fertilizers . 142  

Algae in Food & Health Industry .. 147  

• Spirulina and Chlorella . 147  
• Algae and Health Foods . 149  
• Benefits of Using Algae Health Foods . 150  
• Spirulina Weight Loss Supplements . 151  
• Chlorella & Spirulina for Weight Loss & Dieting . 152  
• Chlorella & Spirulina for Vitality & Intestinal Health .. 152  
• Chlorella & Spirulina for Enhancing Brain Function .. 152  
• Chlorella and cholesterol153  
• Chlorella Lowers the Risks of Cancer . 153  
• Improves Fatigue Associated with Chemotherapy .. 154  
• Chlorella and Hypertension .. 154  
• Chlorella and Anti-Ageing . 154  
• Chlorella Boosts Energy and Vitality .. 154  
• Stimulates Wound Healing . 155  
• Relieves Arthritis . 155  
• Improves Eyesight . 155  
• Chlorella Protects the Liver . 155  
• Chlorella and Blood Sugar . 156  
• Chlorella and Fibromyalgia . 156  

Algae and the Food Industry .. 157  

• Nori.157  
• Wakame. 158  
• Kombu.158  
• Algae Components and Their Health Benefits . 158  
•   ALGIN .. 158  
•   FUCOIDAN .. 159  
•   ALGAL OILS . 159  

Ingredients for processed foods . 160  

• AGAR .. 160  
• Carrageenan .. 161  
•   Alginate . 161  

Pharmaceutical Uses of Algae .. 164  

• Antibiotics and Anticancer agents . 164  
• Diet components . 165  
• Human Therapeutic Proteins . 166  
• Human interferon β1 used in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.167  
• Human Erythropoietin (EPO) used to treat anemia in patients undergoing chemotherapy.168  
• Human Proinsulin used in the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.168  
• Human Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) used in the treatment of pulmonary emphysema. 169 
• Production of high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1).169  
• Production of domain 10 and domain 14 of human fibronectin.169  

Nutraceuticals . 171  

Algae as a Source of Nutraceuticals . 171  

• POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS (PUFA) . 171  
• CAROTENOIDS . 172  
• Omega-3 Oils . 174  
•   Potential health benefits . 174  

Cosmetic Uses of Algae .. 176  

• The use of algae based cosmetics helps fight ageing skin and cellulite.176  

Algae as Animal and Fish Feeds . 179  

• Algae as Fish Feeds . 181  
• Aqua Culture and Algae Prospects . 182  

Miscellaneous Uses of Algae .. 183  

• Paper . 183  

Designing Viable Algal Bioenergy Co-production Concepts . 186  

• Technically Feasible Algal Bioenergy Co-production Concepts . 187  
• Basic Economic Considerations of Algae Production .. 188  
• Product-specific co-production options and economics . 189  
• Co-production with health foods and pharmaceuticals . 189  
• Algae-based non-food bulk products . 193  
• Co-production from seaweed products . 194  
• Integrated and “biorefinery” concepts . 195  
• The Powerfarm! concept . 197  

Algae Concepts in Developing Countries . 198  

• Technological feasibility of algae-based concepts in developing countries . 198  
• Commercial algae cultivation in developing countries . 198  
• Technological opportunities and threats for developing countries . 200  
• Innovation and concept adaptation for developing countries . 200  
• Financial opportunities and threats for developing countries . 201  

Marketing Challenges of Algae .. 202  

Algae Business Strategies for the Future .. 206  

• Algae-based Rooftop Agricultural Systems:  .206  
• Algae Opportunities in Sustainable Communities:206  
• The Positive Side of Rising Oil Prices:  207  
• Medicines, Vaccines, and Pharmaceuticals:  . 207 
• Disaster Relief:207  
• Premier Foods:208  
• Gourmet Algae Foods:208  
• Algae snacks and “junk” foods:208  
• Fast Food Restaurants:208  
• Institutional Foods:208  
• The “Other” White Meat:208  
• Institutional Settings:. 209  
• Small Farm Opportunities:209  
• Opportunities for Children and Students:209  

About the Author . 210