Production of biodiesel and biogas from algae: a review of process train options (original) (raw)
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Science of the Total Environment, 2020
The current review explores the potential application of algal biomass for the production of biofuels and biobased products. The variety of processes and pathways through which bio-valorization of algal biomass can be performed are described in this review. Various lipid extraction techniques from algal biomass along with transesterification reactions for biodiesel production are briefly discussed. Processes such as the pretreatment and saccharification of algal biomass, fermentation, gasification, pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, and anaerobic digestion for the production of biohydrogen, bio-oils, biomethane, biochar (BC), and various bio-based products are reviewed in detail. The biorefinery model and its collaborative approach with various processes are highlighted for the production of eco-friendly, sustainable, and cost-effective biofuels and value-added products. The authors also discuss opportunities and challenges related to bio-valorization of algal biomass and use their own perspective regarding the processes involved in production and the feasibility to make algal research a reality for the production of biofuels and bio-based products in a sustainable manner.
ES general /ES general, 2024
In this growing world with new developing technologies, the sector of science and analysis are accenting a lot for searching out an altered way which would be considered as environmentally compatible propellant over fossil fuels. With the growth of the human population, the need for sustainable resources of energy has increased a lot since large-scale utilization of fossil fuels would lead to the absence of viable energy resources for our future progeny so for that we need renewable and clean sources of energy which are called Green Energy Resources. Biodiesel is one such form of green energy. In recent decades production of biodiesel from algal biomass has been taken up over the petrochemical-based propellant. The requirement for cropland is also less in terms of Algal cultivation and neither it requires intricate operations for its cultivation. As the worldwide energy sector is still being so the formulation of propellant from bio-based sources might be a roseate in several energy divisions which sought huge people's interest in the development of algal biomass fuel of fourth generation and analyzing prospects of biofuels. On the other hand, it © Engineered Science Publisher LLC 2024 | 2 is imperatively obvious to curtail the expenditure for biodiesel formulation as biofuel may be considered as a novel material which shows us a road map towards sustainable development and waste management. In this study, we highlight the most prolific studies on biofuel production from algal biomass.
Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, 2011
A novel system for algal biofuel production was proposed, which integrates algal biomass production, wastewater treatment and hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass to bio-crude oil. A series of algae cultivation and hydrothermal conversion experiments were conducted, confirming several key characteristics of such system: 1) fast-growing low-lipid content algae can be produced using wastewater; 2) biomass produced in the system can be converted into usable biofuel though hydrothermal conversion process with a positive energy balance; 3) the system can leverage the nutrient content in the incoming waste-stream for maximum biomass production and carbon capture that is approximately 10 times the original mass of bio-waste. This process resolves the current major limitations to the economic feasibility of algal biofuels because high-lipid algae are not necessary and the energy for dewatering is minimized by the self-separation of liquefaction oil from wet biomass. Thus, this process would potentially completely replace petroleum imports using only waste inputs and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This is a new wastewater and bio-energy paradigm our world needs.
Achieving a Green Solution: Limitations and Focus Points for Sustainable Algal Fuels
Energies, 2012
Research investigating the potential of producing biofuels from algae has been enjoying a recent revival due to heightened oil prices, uncertain fossil fuel sources and legislative targets aimed at reducing our contribution to climate change. If the concept is to become a reality however, many obstacles need to be overcome. Recent studies have suggested that open ponds provide the most sustainable means of cultivation infrastructure due to their low energy inputs compared to more energy intensive photobioreactors. Most studies have focused on strains of algae which are capable of yielding high oil concentrations combined with high productivity. Yet it is very difficult to cultivate such strains in open ponds as a result of microbial competition and limited radiation-use efficiency. To improve viability, the use of wastewater has been considered by many researchers as a potential source of nutrients with the added benefit of tertiary water treatment however productivity rates are affected and optimal conditions can be difficult to maintain year round. This paper investigates the process streams which are likely to provide the most viable methods of energy recovery from cultivating and processing algal biomass. The key findings are the importance of a flexible approach which depends upon location of the cultivation ponds and the industry targeted. Additionally this study recommends moving towards technologies producing higher energy recoveries such as pyrolysis or anaerobic digestion as opposed to other studies which focused upon biodiesel production.
The environmental feasibility of algae biodiesel production
Applied Petrochemical Research, 2012
Microalgae can grow in waste or seawater, have vastly superior biomass yields per hectare and, most importantly, the CO 2 removed from the atmosphere during photosynthetic growth of the plant offsets CO 2 released during fuel combustion. Algae-based fuel products are more promising than first-generation biofuels, as they exclude land use and food security issues, but require a mass production breakthrough to be viable. Through a life cycle approach, we evaluate whether algal biodiesel production can be a viable fuel source once the energy and carbon intensity of the process are managed accordingly. Currently, algae biodiesel production is 2.5 times as energy intensive as conventional diesel. Biodiesel from advanced biomass can only realize its inherent environmental advantages of GHG emissions reduction once every step of the production chain is fully optimized and decarbonized. In the case of Saudi Arabia which operates on a 100 % fossil-based electricity and heat grid, the inherent environmental advantages of producing algae biodiesel would be heavily overshadowed by the nation's carbon-intensive energy and power sector.
2010
Background One of the activities of IEA Bioenergy Task 39 is to commission state-of-the-art reports on some of the most important relevant clean energy, liquid biofuels technology topics. You can access many Task 39 past reports at www.Task39.org One area that has received considerable recent attention is the potential of algae to produce low carbon energy dense liquid biofuels suitable for uses such as aviation, or as petrol/gasoline and diesel replacements. IEA Bioenergy Task 39 is fortunate to have, within its extensive network, colleagues who have had long experience with algae technologies, both in terms of commercial growth of algae (as has occurred in Australia over many years of operating high-productivity open ponds) and in assessing the technical status and potential of algal biofuels (as carried out by the United States' National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) during the Aquatic Species Program). We want to thank the authors, Al Darzins and Philip Pienkos (NREL, U...
ALGAL BIOFUELS:A SOLUTION TO POLLUTION PROBLEMS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - A REVIEW
Major challenges of the modern world like energy security, oil price, resources depletion and climate change have prompted significant advances in research and development of biomass-derived energy and fuels. To achieve environmental and economic sustainability, fuel production processes are required that are not only renewable, but also capable of sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide. The use of algae as energy crops has potential, due to their easy adaptability to growth conditions, the possibility of growing either in fresh/marine/wastewaters. Being fastest growing autotrophs, they have the potential to generate significant amounts of biomass considered as third generation feed stocks for biofuels (bioethanol, biodiesel, biohydrogen, biomethane etc), there by helps in biosequestration of carbon, reduces dependence on fossil fuels, and also helps in waste water recycling by effectively utilizing the nutrients of wastewater in an ecofriendly way, which would otherwise leads to eutrophication.