Algae Biofuel Yield Calculator
From Green Cells to Liquid Fuel
Microalgae grow quickly, accumulate lipids, and thrive in brackish or non-arable settings, making them a compelling renewable fuel source. The calculator multiplies reactor volume and daily productivity to estimate biomass, applies lipid fraction and conversion efficiency, and finally converts the resulting fuel mass into liters using an assumed biodiesel density of 0.88 kg/L.
The MathML expression below condenses the steps into a single relationship where is reactor volume in liters, is biomass productivity in g/L/day, is lipid percentage, and is conversion efficiency.
The model also estimates carbon dioxide uptake by assuming 1.8 kg of CO₂ is fixed per kilogram of biomass. This helps quantify the climate benefits that accompany each liter of renewable fuel.
Example Project Scenarios
Use the reference table to see how productivity and lipid content influence potential output before committing to detailed pilot testing.
| Scenario | Volume (L) | Productivity (g/L/day) | Biodiesel (L/day) | CO₂ fixed (kg/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open pond baseline | 10,000 | 0.35 | 14 | 63 |
| Enclosed photobioreactor | 5,000 | 0.8 | 18 | 72 |
| High-lipid strain campaign | 2,500 | 1.2 | 23 | 54 |
Planning the Next Experiment
Tracking inputs in a consistent format makes it easier to compare strains, nutrient strategies, or harvest intervals. Pair this tool with lifecycle analysis resources such as the biochar sequestration calculator, kelp farm carbon model, and the renewable energy credit break-even calculator to weigh algae against other carbon-smart technologies.