Algae May Produce Hydrogen For Fuel
April 7, 2008
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratories believe that algae can be modified to become an efficient producer of hydrogen. Some varieties of algae contain hydrogenase, which emits hydrogen as a by-product of photosynthesis. The natural efficiency of hydrogen production for these plants is around .1%.
By working with genetically modified algae, depriving the plants of sulphur and adding copper, the plants have increased their ability to produce hydrogen. If the modifications eventually result in a hydrogen production rate of 5% to 10%, the plants could become a viable, readily renewable source of hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles.
Algae have several advantages over other organic fuel sources, like corn. Algae can be grown in a closed system, which opens up a variety of locations in which it can be produced. Large production facilities can be constructed on otherwise unusable land, meaning that production facilities don’t have to compete with other potential occupants.
Right now, corn production for biofuel competes with corn production for food. The overall effect has been to diminish the available supply of each and to raise the price of the corn that is produced. Currently, corn prices exceed $6 per bushel, reducing its economic attractiveness as a biofuel ingredient
The amount of space needed to produce significant quantities of algae is significantly smaller than that needed to produce corn. Researchers at the University of California estimate that the US would need 25,000 square kilometers of land to for hydrogen production via algae. This is less than one-tenth the space the US now devotes to the production of soybeans.
The next step in the research is to determine whether the enzyme the algae use to create hydrogen can be introduced into the photosynthesis process. The ANL team is confident that they can achieve their research goals.
Photo Credit: Gavin Mills
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[...] Hybrid Car Chat wrote this today. I think it is worth reading. Here is a little snippet:If the modifications eventually result in a hydrogen production rate of 5% to 10%, the plants could become a viable, readily renewable source of hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles. Algae have several advantages over other organic fuel … [...]