Benefits Of Algae To Make Biofuel
The political situation in Iran and Iraq is intensifying. Oil import from the Middle East is becoming expensive with each passing day. Natural fossil fuels are being rapidly consumed, but their demand is not seeing a decrease. The world is facing fuel crisis. Difficult times call for difficult measures. Today, every individual is trying his/her best to find an alternative that will reduce our dependency on crude oil. Algae, considered the lowest form of life, are also being studied to produce biofuel. |
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Petroleum is made primarily of Kerogen. Kerogen is a product of algae, plankton, bacteria, biodegraded organic compounds and plant material. Discovery of kerogen components has been a breakthrough. This has led the scientists to experimentally produce petroleum by combining all the products. These experiments have been conducted in controlled environments using the diagenesis and catagenesis methods. The algae were grown in the presence of abundant carbon dioxide. This prompted the conversion of algae into algae biofuel. The resulting fuel has similar composition as fossil fuels. Their combustion properties are also same. Some of the benefits of using this fuel would be:
- Algae biofuel is non-toxic. It does not contain lead or sulphur. It does not require any additives.
- An engine running on diesel is best suited for this fuel.
- This is a biodegradable fuel and hence does not pollute the atmosphere unlike gasoline.
- Algae biofuel has high octane value. As a result, fuel burns better and gives good performance.
- It provides the engine with better lubrication, which helps in smooth running.
- This fuel gives better conductivity compared to diesel fuel.
- It is a renewable source of energy.
- Algae do not require any specific environment to grow. It can be grown anywhere and under all environmental conditions.
Studies have proved that algae can be the fuel of the future. However, use of algae biofuel requires advanced technology in engines. This technology still needs to be worked upon.
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Biofuel is a solid, liquid or gas fuel that is produced from recently decomposed organic material. This is what makes it different from fossil fuels like crude oil. The fossil fuels are made from dead plants and animals that were buried in the earth centuries ago. Biofuels are increasingly being used as alternative fuels to run vehicles and as gas in cooking stoves. 
