A recent development in the production of biofuel through photosynthesis can pro

Question

A recent development in the production of biofuel through photosynthesis can produce 7000 gallons of sulfur free biofuel per acre of land that it deploys for its algae based photosynthesis. Nevertheless, it requires a CO2 rich feedstock obtained from the smokestack of a conventional fossil fuel generator. Assuming that this biofuel process requires as much CO2 per gallon of biofuel produced as is released by burning a gallon of gasoline, estimate:
(i) the acreage needed to convert all the CO2 produced by a 100MW CCGT that is 65% efficient in converting natural gas energy to electric energy, and operates 5000hours per year at full capacity.
(ii) the number of biofuel gallons that can be produced in a year from the flue gasses of that CCGT’s smokestack.

Explanation / Answer

Answer

In this question, algae produce 7000 gallons of biofuel from 1 acre of land consuming C02.

Given = motor power = 100MW

                        Efficiency= 65%

Then, equation is Efficiency = output/input energy

65/100 = C02/ 100000W

C02 = 65000 gallon/h

Machine run for 5000H therefore total CO2= 65000 X 5000

                                                                        = 532000000 gallons

Acre of land require = 532000000/7000 = 46428 acre.

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