Feasibility study of bioethanol production from photosynthesis

Ethanol is the major product of alcoholic fermentations but small quantities of amyl alcohols (d- and/or iso-) as well as some butyl and propyl may also be produced and are generally referred to as fuel oil. The amount varies between about 0.1 and 0.7% and may also include trace amounts of fatty acids, esters, furfural and other substances. Ethanol is a fuel which can be continuously regenerated as long as there is sufficient land available for cultivation. Production of bioethanol fuel through algal feedstock fermentation starts from strain selection and growth. Two approaches are taken: utilization of macroalgae feedstock, often invasive, from the natural habitat or growth of appropriately selected microalgal strain in artificial conditions. Harvesting and initial processing of algal biomass is largely species-dependent and has been recently reviewed. Ethanol production from macroalgae has been reported on several occasions using main classes of macroalgae i.e. green, red and brown. All these organisms have been utilised as carbohydrate feedstock for fermentation with ethanologenic yeast and bacteria. Ethanol production from microalgae has been also reported for species of Chlorococcum infusionum, C. reinhardtii UTEX 90 and C. vulgaris. In this research different type of process for producing Bioethanol from microalgae investigated. Open and closed system used for production. These systems have been comparing with investment, exploitation costs, energy consumption, initial cost, and risk of contamination issues.