ABSTRACT

The aspiration for producing algal biofuel is motivated by the desire to: (1) displace conventional petroleum-based fuels, which are exhaustible, (2) produce fuels domestically to reduce energy imports, and (3) reduce greenhouse gas emissions by cultivating algae that re-use carbon dioxide emitted from industrial facilities. In theory, algae have the potential to produce a large amount of petroleum fuel substitutes, while avoiding the need for large amounts of fresh water and arable land [1-3]. These attributes have created widespread interest in algal biofuels. In practice, however, profitable algal biofuel production faces several important challenges. The goal of the research presented in this paper is to examine and quantify the extent of some of those challenges with an eye towards identifying critical areas for advances in the development of algal biofuels.