Biodiesel production from freshwater algae in Qaraoun Lake in Lebanon

With the increasing demand for energy, dwindling oil reserves and global warming, the current fossil fuel based mechanical power and electricity has caused severe environmental degradation and energy shortage. Renewable, non-polluting and biodegradable energy sources must be adopted. Producing biodiesel from algae which represents the third bio-energy feedstock appears to be the most straightforward and least energy intensive method for biofuel production due to its higher biomass yields, higher productivities in diverse growths environments, fewer noxious emissions and better oil suitability for biodiesel processing. Constructing biodiesel processing plant from algae next to Qaraoun Lake using its water, could create a unique marriage between biofuel production and water treatment by using free nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen from water causing lake eutrophication and health problems. This paper includes a feasibility study for constructing an algae culture and biodiesel processing plant near Qaraoun Lake requiring an land area of 45000 m2. The study will be focusing on the selection of Botrycoccus braunii freshwater algae for the culture and its effectiveness for biodiesel processing.