The prospects for sustainable biodiesel production in Jordan

This article addresses the feasibility of commercial biodiesel production in Jordan as an alternative fuel source. The study suggests that the most effective method of producing biodiesel in a country like Jordan could be based on large-scale microalgae cultivation. Since many strains of microalgae exist, it would first be necessary to identify the species most appropriate for growth in the Jordanian climate, and, second, to develop an affordable cultivation media based on locally-available ingredients. Because of the tremendous positive impact the success of this project would have on the local and national economy, the Jordanian government should also consider the establishment an algae biotechnology research center focusing on production of recombinant algal strains that grow rapidly and yield greater amounts of lipids. The southern part of Jordan, near Aqaba, provides a warm climate year-round, plentiful sea water, and a wealth of naturally-available minerals for enrichment of the cultivation media. A suitable bioreactor design is necessary for the continuous cultivation of the algae; the bioreactor should be coupled with a chemical/biochemical reaction stage for the large-scale transesterification required for conversion of the oil into biodiesel. Finally, it would also be advantageous to set up a carbon-neutral biodiesel-based electric generation power plant close by to supply power to neighboring cities while carbon emissions serve as a source of CO
2
for the microalgal production cycle. Microalgae-derived biodiesel would serve as a renewable and nearly carbon-neutral source of energy. This paper addresses the key steps in the production cycle that would optimize the oil yield and biodiesel production capacity from microalgae.