Abstract
This paper discusses the potential for algal biofuel production under resource-limited conditions in Texas. Algal biomass and lipid production quantities are estimated using a fully integrated biological and engineering model that incorporates primary resources required for growth, such as carbon dioxide, sunlight and water. The biomass and lipid production are estimated at the county resolution in Texas, which accounts for geographic variation in primary resources from the Eastern half of the state, which has moderate solar resources and abundant water resources, to the Western half of the state, which has abundant solar resources and moderate water resources. Two resource-limited scenarios are analyzed in this paper: the variation in algal biomass production as a function of carbon dioxide concentration and as a function of water availability. The initial carbon dioxide concentration, ranging from low concentrations in ambient air to higher concentrations found in power plant flue gas streams, affects the growth rate and production of algal biomass. The model compares biomass production using carbon dioxide available from flue gas or refinery activities, which are present only in a limited number of counties, with ambient concentrations found in the atmosphere. Biomass production is also estimated first for counties containing terrestrial sources of water such as wastewater and/or saline aquifers, and compared with those with additional water available from the Gulf of Mexico. The results of these analyses are presented on a series of maps depicting algal biomass and lipid production in gallons per year under each of the resource-limited scenarios. Based on the analysis, between 13.9 and 154.1 thousand tons of algal biomass and 1.0 and 11.1 million gallons of lipids can be produced annually.
Published Version
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