840.119:Hydrogen Production by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells in Sulfur-deprived Environments: Difference between revisions
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=== Scientific Approach === | === Scientific Approach === | ||
=== Potential Impact === | === Potential Impact === | ||
The potential impact of producing hydrogen by organism who utilize the sunlight to produce hydrogen is unmeasurable. If hydrogen is able to be made via the <i>Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</i> organism (or others) on an economically competitive level as fossil fuel or electrical hydrogen production then the world would use far less carbon based fuel for energy needs. | The potential impact of producing hydrogen by organism who utilize the sunlight to produce hydrogen is unmeasurable. If hydrogen is able to be made via the <i>Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</i> organism (or others) on an economically competitive level as fossil fuel or electrical hydrogen production then the world would use far less carbon based fuel for energy needs. | ||
Revision as of 19:28, 8 October 2006
Hydrogen Production by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells in Sulfur-deprived Environments
Abstract
Many recent developments have been made in the research of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for hydrogen production. The purpose of this webpage is to assist in understanding the recent developments coming from academic journals in this subject and help to clarify the idea of using a biological organism to produce hydrogen for energy use.
State of the Art
Many articles have been written about the ability to produce hydrogen from green algae and was known about for over 60 years [1]. The state of the research of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is making the hydrogen production more efficient and less expensive.
Objectives
The main objective of the current research is lowering the cost of the hydrogen produced by the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. These objectives have been outlined below:
- Increasing the hydrogen production yeild per gram of organism.
- The long recovery time between switching the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii from sulfur deprived to sulfur replete conditions.
- Current expense of the reactor material.[2]
Scientific Approach
Potential Impact
The potential impact of producing hydrogen by organism who utilize the sunlight to produce hydrogen is unmeasurable. If hydrogen is able to be made via the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii organism (or others) on an economically competitive level as fossil fuel or electrical hydrogen production then the world would use far less carbon based fuel for energy needs.
Associated Risks
The risks involved with the project have to deal with taking adequate precautions. In order for the hydrogen production to be useful to humankind a large amount of hydrogen would need to be produced at one place for shipment. Therefore, it proper precautions would be manditory to ensure no hydrogen explosions at the hydrogen production plant. With mass production of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii it would be necessary to ensure no infections to the workers, even if the algae is shown to be harmless to humans, since in time some evolved algae (from our manipulation to bost hydrogen production) could be dangerous to humans.
Ethical Issues
Currently their is no ethical issues with using algae for human purposes and no other animals will be risked and humans will be in just as much danger as other energy plants (when made).
References
[1] Tsygankov, A et al. "Hydrogen Production by Sulfur-deprived Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under Photoautotrophic Conditions." International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2006;31:1574-1584.
[2] Amos, W. and Ghirardi M., "Renewable Hydrogen from Green Algae." Biocycle Energy. 2004;May:59 and 62.
