Oil from conventional oil crops like palm, cone, soy, jathropha are widely used as biodiesel feedstock. But their characteristic low yield allows none of these crops to offer a proper substitute for fossil fuel. Aggressive land usage for cultivation of these conventional crops for biodiesel feedstock will replace agricultural and grazing lands. Also, conversion of food crops to fuel will push up food prices and may even cause future food scarcity.
Algae can yield several fold biomass per acre per year compared to any other crop. Most micro algae are rich in lipids. Some species of algae that has up to 50% oil by weight of its dry mass.
Algae oil can be converted to low emission biodiesel. Current estimates on existing technologies show that algae farms can produce up to 20,000 gallons of oil per acre per year which substantially reduces land usage for biodiesel feed stock. Thus, Algae is expected to successfully address fossil depletions issues and widespread concerns of probable displacement of food crops by bio fuel feedstock. More over, an algae facility has low environmental impact, since the products are biodegradable.
Algae are present in abundance almost everywhere on earth. They are believed to be the first group of organisms on earth to perform photosynthesis. Sea and other water bodies are natural habitats of algae. They account for the major share of photosynthesis and hence having a major contribution to food chain. . A considerable share of fossil fuel reserves have been formed by organic debris of algae throughout millions of years. At low levels of carbon emission, algae are capable of restoring atmospheric equilibrium through natural gas exchange between the living world and the nonliving world, by converting carbon dioxide into organic matter (biomass) and liberating oxygen- produced as a byproduct of photosynthesis- into the atmosphere.
Algae are the fastest growing organisms on earth. They can convert large quantities of carbon dioxide into organic matter and liberate oxygen as byproduct of photosynthesis in 72% by weight used carbon dioxide. Biological conversion of carbon dioxide into liquid fuel and other useful products is the most desirable means for carbon dioxide mitigation and to improve atmospheric quality.
Algae biomass is rich in nutrients. Many algae species are used as human nutrient supplements. cattle feed and fish feed. Some species of algae are used as human food supplement.
Though algae cultivation involves high water usage, water and vapor recycling feature of ATC's system minimizes loss both as liquid and vapor. An algae facility can recycle sewerage and other forms of waste water and improve water quality thus conserving one of the most valuable resources on earth.