Biochemical and Photosynthetic Aspects of Energy Production

Biochemical and Photosynthetic Aspects of Energy Production describes the biological processes that may serve to provide alternative energy sources. This book contains nine chapters that specifically tackle the utilization of biological and agricultural wastes, energy farming, and leaf protein. The introductory chapters deal with the dynamics of seaweed growth, the physical properties controlling them, and the elements of algal-bacterial systems. These topics are followed by a discussion on the potential for the production of meaningful amounts of gaseous and liquid fuels, as well as selected organic chemicals from residues and biomass. The following chapters examine the fundamentals and principles of nitrogen fixation, the factors that affect the possibilities of success in energy farming projects, and the development and atmospheric consequences of oxygen and carbon dioxide cycles. The concluding chapters explore the mechanism of glycerol production in the Dunaliella alga and the energy analysis in biofuel production. Biochemists, biologists, and researchers in the fields of alternative fuels will find this book of great value.

List of Contributors Preface 1 Biological and Agricultural Systems: An Overview I. Introduction II. Impending Liquid Fuel Problem III. Energy Available from Photosynthesis IV. Efficiency of Photosynthesis V. Areas Required for Solar Power VI. Complete Crop Utilization VII. Energy Farming VIII. Cellulose IX. Waste Disposal and Algae X. Plant Selection and Breeding XI. Regulation of Plant Reactions and Selected End Products XII. Controlled Environments XIII. Nitrogen Fixation XIV. Biocatalytic Hydrogen Production Systems XV. Carbon Reduction XVI. Artificial Chlorophyll Membranes XVII. Bacteriorhodopsin Membranes XVIII. Concluding Remarks References 2 Marine Biomass Production through Seaweed Aquaculture I. Introduction II. Seaweed Growth III. Impact of Advective-Convective Processes on Oceanic Culture IV. Conclusions References3 Algal-Bacterial Systems I. Introduction II. Elements of Algal-Bacterial Systems III. Conclusions References 4 Fuels and Organic Chemicals via Anaerobic Fermentation of Residues and Biomass I. Introduction II. Perspective of Economic Impact III. Temperature Effect IV. New Processing Concepts V. Fermenter Functioning VI. Biomass Sources VII. Summary References 5 Biological Nitrogen Fixation with an Emphasis on the Legumes I. Introduction II. Biological Nitrogen-Fixation Systems III. The Symbiotic Association in Legumes IV. Asymbiotic Fixation by Rhizobia V. The Enzymology of Nitrogen Fixation VI. Energy Requirements for Nitrogen Fixation VII. Increasing Biological Nitrogen Fixation References 6 Energy Crops (Energy Farming) I. Introduction II. Why Is Efficiency Important? III. Advantages of Energy Farming IV. Efficiencies of Solar Energy Conversion by Plants V. Calculated Maximum Biomass Production and Reported High Yields VI. C-4 Metabolism and Photorespiration and Effects of CO2 Enrichment VII. Energy Content of Biomass VIII. Types of Energy Farms IX. Crops Requiring Moderate Rainfall or Irrigation X. Energy Crops in Semi-Arid and Arid Regions XI. Ponds and Fresh-Water or Brackish-Water Bodies XII. Marine: Giant Kelp XIII. Biomass Residues from Agriculture and Forestry XIV. Summary XV. Epilogue References 7 The O2/CO2 Cycle: Development and Atmospheric Consequences I. Rise of Atmospheric Oxygen II. Distribution of Biogenic Carbon and Oxygen III. Stability of Atmospheric Oxygen Content IV. Increase of Carbon Dioxide-The "Greenhouse" Effect References8 Glycerol Production in the Alga Dunaliella I. Introduction II. Growth of Dunaliella under Measurable and Controlled Conditions III. Glycerol Production in Dunaliella IV. Bioengineering Approach V. Economic Appraisal VI. Conclusion References9 Energy Considerations of Biofuels Production I. Energy Analysis II. Solar Energy III. Fuels from Biomass IV. Conclusion References Index