Seifeldin Khedir
University of Khartoum, Sudan
Title: Assessment of the optimum sites for industrial-scale microalgae biofuel production in red sea region based on GIS models & estimation by mathematical modelling
Biography
Biography: Seifeldin Khedir
Abstract
Global interest in biofuel production has increased to achieve sustainable energy production and reduce climatic change specially developing countries. The present study is pioneer resource assessment study in the Sudan and the Red Sea region. Its objectives are fourfold: to verify the existence in Sudanese’s Red Sea coast zone of microalgae species which are globally reported for their high biomass and biofuel production, to determine the potentially suitable sites for commercial production of microalgae, to estimate the biomass and befuel productivity and the amount of sequestered carbon. The study made use of Red Sea algal review to verify the existence of the required species. The Multi criteria analysis (MCA), as a GIS tool, was used for best site selection is used for industrial scale microalgae cultivation and biofuel production. Climate parameters, land use, landcover, slope and power plants as nutrients sources for CO2 were considered. Theoretical calculations used for potential of biomass, lipids productivity and estimate of carbon fixation for study area based on sunlight and other climatic conditions of site selection assuming cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris in open pond system. The results of suitability analysis determined the bare land out Portsudan city as suitable site for production with a total area estimated to be 19385 hectares. carbon fixation for Red Sea was (279.8 T /ha/ year), (72427.4L/ha/year) and (23.3 gco2/m/d), respectively, this figure more suitable in compression with other in tropical sites such as India, Ethiopia and Australia. However, According to economic and environmental benefits, the study will provide a base to support decision-makers to establish generic strategy to enhance renewable energy sector to meet the SDGS.