A generic methodology for geographical assessment of microalgae potential | |
| Author | Das, Karabee |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.ET-13-15 |
| Subject(s) | Electric generators Geographic information system Microalgae |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Energy |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The ever increasing demand of energy has led to a substantial interest in alternative energy which does not compete with the food, land or water. Presently, many researchers have shown their interest in the microalgae and considered it as the energy crop for biofuel production. Microalgae has the capability for carbon dioxide fixation and detoxification of wastewater from the industries. Hence, it is necessary to realize the potential of microalgae. The overall objective of this thesis is to develop a generic methodology for assessing the microalgae potential for a particular site and then identify the technological strategies involved in the biofuel production. The review on the potential calculation method and technology development from patents were made. The generic methodology involves the GIS and the mathematical model for the potential assessment of microalgae cultivation. The GIS includes the factors which affect the microalgae cultivation and then AHP analysis is done for all the factors which will result a favorable specific site by using ArcGIS for microalgae. The mathematical model is developed based on the specific site in which all the variables and constants were studied. The analysis of the technological strategy is done by the patent analysis method in which Matrix map is used for the analysis. The results of the above methodology will help in selection of site and technology for biofuel production from microalgae. Many researchers and investors who are eager to work on microalgae can adapt the above methodology for site selection and potential for microalgae growth. The methodology has been validated with a pilot scale plant situated in Karratha, Western Australia where it practically produces 12-15 tonne of algal biomass per month, and on calculation with the methodology it gives 18 tonne per month. The result from the above validation gives an error percentage of 16.7 %, which can be lessen further as it depends on the factors like solar radiation and the microalgae strain. The technology foresight method will give a descriptive knowledge about the work that has been done till now and provide the gap in which no work has been done. From the study, it has been analyzed that less work has been done in harvesting, extraction and processing sector. And the maximum effort has been done on the cultivation sector. The methodology has been applied for Rayong province and the Map Ta Phut industrial estate has shown the highest algal biomass production of 76.45 g/m2/day. This value can be increased by involving the technology in cultivation sector which has been stated in the patents. The generic methodology can be applied for the approximate calculation of the biofuel production. |
| Year | 2013 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Energy Technology (ET) |
| Chairperson(s) | Salam, Abdul P.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Marpaung, Charles O. P;Kumar, Sivanappan; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2013 |