Interpretation

In this experiment, algae ethanol has been produced from algae grown in different types of water - fresh water, pond water and river water. Findings are interpreted and explained with reference to heat energy produced by algae ethanol, and the Three Laws of Thermodynamics. Experimental data and results obtained support the hypothesis that: Algae ethanol is an environmentally friendly alternative to food crop-based fuels and petroleum-based fuels.

Scientific research has identified several hundred varieties of algae. Each of these algae thrives in different types of water and is "oil rich to a varying extent" (Department of Biochemical Engineering, University of Rochester). These differences in oil content of algae, according to scientists, arise due to the nutrients that algae receive from the water in which they grow, the extent of sunlight for photosynthesis and temperature.

Therefore, in this experiment too, algae was obtained from and grown in three different types of water - fresh water, pond water and river water.

An analysis of the data of this experiment (Table 1 and Table 2) shows that:

• The specific gravity of ethanol produced from algae growing in different types of water varied. The obtained specific gravity of ethanol varied from 79 to 81. These numbers are supported by scientific results that algae grown in different types of water are indeed "oil rich to a varying extent." ?
   
• Results in Table 2 further show that heat energy produced (J) varied for ethanol produced by algae grown in different types of water. Maximum heat energy was generated by ethanol produced from algae grown in river water. The (Table 2) could perhaps be due to:
   
  • Differences in the amount of sunlight that river water algae had received as compared to fresh water and pond algae. So we may conclude that the sample of river water algae had more stored energy or potential energy than the latter two types of samples and
     
  • Differences in the type of nutrients contained in river water, pond water and fresh water. Perhaps, algae growing in river water received more nutrients and therefore had more stored or potential energy as compared to algae growing in pond water or fresh water.

The above stated findings and data provided in Table 2, are supported and explained by the First Law of Thermodynamics as they show that energy is indeed freely available in our universe. Energy is definitely contained in these tiny microorganisms called algae!

According to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, energy is lost in energy transfer from one system to another. This fact was observed in this experiment as the experimental equipment - the beaker, the burner and the thermometer (after the experiment) even though wrapped in insulating material, were warm to touch. This shows that during the course of energy transfer, thermal energy given off was also being lost to the surrounding environment.

Results in Table 2 further show that the initial temperature of fresh water at room temperature was 20 degrees Celsius. So the thermal energy generated at the start was low. However, as the water in the beaker got warmer and water particles gained energy the temperature of the water rose. In addition, the glass of the beaker gained energy and became warm. Therefore, after using the beaker and the burner for one type of ethanol I had to wait for about 30 minutes to allow the equipment to cool. This aspect of the experiment is explained by the Third Law of Thermodynamics which states that differences in energy given off by a substance varies with temperature and at zero degrees all molecular movement stops.

The experimental data and findings are supported by the ongoing research world wide, as scientists are coming to the conclusion that: "Piling in vast quantities in lakes or in the seas over the years these algae and zooplankton have eventually turned into petroleum. We are so lucky!" ('Green Science', Moyle, 2007).

This experimental effort was extended to use the ethanol produced by me from fruit, corn and yard-waste ('Ethanol: Making Peace with Nature', www.virtualsciencefair.org/2007/adit7i2/) to:

• Determine the energy produced by these biofuels and,
   
• Compare the energy produced by biofuels with the energy produced when algae ethanol was burned.

Results in Table 2 further show that the maximum heat energy (3.347J) was given off by ethanol produced from algae grown in river water. On the other hand, same amount of energy (1.255J) was given off by ethanol produced from pond water algae and fruit-ethanol. However, the heat energy produced by yard-waste was the least (.837 J). Low level of heat energy produced by yard-waste could be due to the fact that it contains different types of materials with varying amounts of stored energy.

The data obtained during this experiment is shown in Graph 'B' and 'C'. For each type of fuel there is a direct relationship between the amount of fuel left unused and increase in the temperature of water. This means that, river water nurtured the growth of oil-rich algae which in turn produced ethanol having greater potential energy. This is reflected in the fact that ethanol produced from river water algae gave off the most heat energy (3.347J) and the temperature of water rose by 8 degrees Celsius.

As a next step, the experiment was further extended to determine the heat energy generated by using petroleum-based fuels i.e. energy from gas obtained from the local gas station. The amount of heat energy generated (2.092J) was the same as the heat energy generated when ethanol produced from corn was used as fuel. However, petroleum-based fuel generated more energy than ethanol produced from algae grown in pond water.

In addition, it was observed that the "colourless liquid" - whether produced from algae (grown in fresh water, river water or pond water) or from fruits or corn or yard-waste always burned with a blue flame. Thus indicating that it was ethanol!

From the economic point of view, the EROI or the Energy Returned On Energy Invested is very high for algae made from ethanol. The reason being, that algae use energy from sun for photosynthesis. Sun is a universal source of energy and costs us nothing to get. Using sun's energy does not harm our environment because algae use it implicitly as a natural process during photosynthesis. This stored energy is converted into ethanol by anaerobic respiration and external heating is not involved. Therefore, the amount of energy we get from algae ethanol by anaerobic respiration is substantially greater than the energy consumed by that process. Scientists have estimated that the yield of ethanol from an acre of algae is about 5,000 to 15,000 gallons per year. Therefore, using alge to make ethanol is a useful approach in many ways and will allow us to resolve the dilemma:

"Can we eat our cake and have it too?"

Based on the data and results of this experiment the answer is:

"Yes, we may...but if it is to be, it is up to me."

In conclusion, the data and results of this experiment prove that energy exists universally and in non-conventional forms. The solution to our current energy crisis lies in looking beyond the obvious and addressing the problem with creative solutions. Making ethanol from algae is the answer to the troubling question: of food or fuel - fuel the cars or keep food to fuel the energies of people? Resources of the Earth are finite, so let us work together and fuel both - people and cars!

"We desperately need to recognize that we are the guests not the masters of Nature and adopt a new paradigm for solving the energy crisis, based on the costs and benefits to all people, and bound by the limits of Nature herself rather than the limits of technology."

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