Survival of the fattest
| Autor: | Robbert Kleerebezem, Jelmer Tamis, Gerben Roelandt Stouten, Mark C.M. van Loosdrecht, Peter R. Mooij |
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| Předmět: |
biology
Renewable Energy Sustainability and the Environment ved/biology business.industry ved/biology.organism_classification_rank.species Fossil fuel Renewable fuels biology.organism_classification Photosynthesis Pollution Nuclear Energy and Engineering Algae Biofuel Environmental protection Terrestrial plant Environmental Chemistry Environmental science Production (economics) business Productivity |
| Zdroj: | Delft University of Technology |
| Popis: | Liquid fuels have excellent properties in terms of storage, logistics and energy density compared to gaseous fuels or electricity. A major disadvantage of liquid fuels is that a vast majority of them is derived from fossil resources. Currently, the consumption rate of fossil fuels by far outcompetes the natural production rate, resulting in elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Photosynthetic organisms (plants and algae) xate atmospheric CO2 using solar energy. CO2 consumption and emission would be balanced if liquid fuels would be derived from plants or algae. However, growing terrestrial plants for biofuel production means less agricultural land and fresh water remains available for food production. Microalgae can grow under marine conditions and outcompete terrestrial plants in terms of areal productivity. On the other hand, cultivation of microalgae introduces new challenges. Species control is, compared to terrestrial plants, much more difficult. Any cultivation system is prone to contamination by undesired algal species threatening stable production. In this study we show that we can overcome this hurdle by creating a selective environment. Our approach allows for large scale, stable production of biofuel precursors and is therefore a substantial step forward in the production of renewable fuels. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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