Two Biofuels Created From Single Algae Could Replace Petroleum In Future

A team of researchers from Western Washington University and Chris Reddy of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have come together to create renewable fuels that could replace the petroleum. With the growing energy demands, the mass consumption of petroleum has put our non-renewable resources at risk. Keeping in mind the need of the times to create biofuels that could sustain our way of life, the research team has explored a way to use a commonly found algae (used to grow fish food) to create the source for both biodiesel and jet fuel. They have exploited a new kind of chemical compounds to generate two different fuel products from a single algae at the same time. This is a novel feat and could build towards a new strategy of creating renewable biofuels from algae.

The fatty acids present in algae could be transformed into fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), which constitute the molecules in a biodiesel. Using a special species of algae called 'Isochrysis' as it can be mass produced and they can create fats called alkenones. Thinking of this algae as a potential fuel source, the researchers started creating biodiesel from the FAMEs in Isochrysis. To create a smoothly flowing fuel, they came up with a method to separate the alkenones from the FAMEs. Though this resulted in additional overhead, the output was a superior quality biodiesel.


If commercialized, this research works holds a promise for creating abundant supply of biofuels. Though what we are looking at, are only the initial stage results, the team of researchers at the University are confident that if a method of mass production is employed, replacing petroleum with these biofuels won't be a distant dream.

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