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A strategy for commercialization of macroalga biorefineries

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  • Ansub Khan, Mohammad
  • Abbas, Abiha
  • Dickson, Rofice

Abstract

The transportation sector significantly contributes to global warming due to the extensive use of fossil fuels. Biofuels have the potential to eliminate inherent problems associated with the combustion of fossil fuels. However, large-scale deployment of biorefineries is limited because of high capital and operating costs as well as the low market value of biofuels that make such plants economically unfavorable. Additionally, using sustainable feedstock (algae, cyanobacteria, etc.), i.e., with no social, environmental, or technological challenges, is another major bottleneck for biorefineries. Considering these challenges, this study presents a strategy for the commercialization of macroalga-derived bioethanol via a circular economy-based integrated biorefinery concept. A standalone (conventional) process was designed for bioethanol production at 50.0 million gallons (189.3 million liters) per year capacity in Aspen Plus V12.2. Economic and environmental indicators were assessed through discounted cash flow and cradle-to-grave (SimaPro V9.4.0.7) analyses, respectively. Once the potential targets are identified, a novel integrated process was designed for biofuel and biochemical production, which is not only economically favorable in the current market but also has a better life cycle profile compared to that of a standalone process. The results showed that the integrated design has a minimum ethanol selling price of USD 0.35/L and a global warming potential of 0.35 kg CO2 eq/L of ethanol, which is 45% and 82.7% lower than that of the standalone design. Sensitivity analysis showed that the Bio-SA selling price, total capital investment, and seaweed price are the most critical economic parameters for the economic feasibility of the process.

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  • Ansub Khan, Mohammad & Abbas, Abiha & Dickson, Rofice, 2023. "A strategy for commercialization of macroalga biorefineries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:187:y:2023:i:c:s1364032123005609
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2023.113703
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dickson, Rofice & Liu, J. Jay, 2021. "A strategy for advanced biofuel production and emission utilization from macroalgal biorefinery using superstructure optimization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    2. Brigljević, Boris & Liu, Jay J. & Lim, Hankwon, 2019. "Comprehensive feasibility assessment of a poly-generation process integrating fast pyrolysis of S. japonica and the Rankine cycle," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
    3. Dickson, Rofice & Ryu, Jun-Hyung & Liu, J. Jay, 2018. "Optimal plant design for integrated biorefinery producing bioethanol and protein from Saccharina japonica: A superstructure-based approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 1257-1270.
    4. Kumar, B. Ramesh & Mathimani, Thangavel & Sudhakar, M.P. & Rajendran, Karthik & Nizami, Abdul-Sattar & Brindhadevi, Kathirvel & Pugazhendhi, Arivalagan, 2021. "A state of the art review on the cultivation of algae for energy and other valuable products: Application, challenges, and opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    5. Fasahati, Peyman & Woo, Hee Chul & Liu, J. Jay, 2015. "Industrial-scale bioethanol production from brown algae: Effects of pretreatment processes on plant economics," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 175-187.
    6. Liu, J. Jay & Dickson, Rofice & Niaz, Haider & Van Hal, Jaap W. & Dijkstra, J.W. & Fasahati, Peyman, 2022. "Production of fuels and chemicals from macroalgal biomass: Current status, potentials, challenges, and prospects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    7. Fasahati, P. & Dickson, R. & Saffron, C.M. & Woo, H.C. & Liu, J. Jay, 2022. "Seaweeds as a sustainable source of bioenergy: Techno-economic and life cycle analyses of its biochemical conversion pathways," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
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    1. Wang, Qing & Sun, Xian & Lin, Senjie & Dong, Yahong & Shen, Hongtao & He, Zhili & Luo, Hongtian & Zou, Ligong & Chung, Ik Kyo & Yang, Yufeng, 2025. "Large-scale seaweed cultivation as a nature solution for carbon-negative economy and restorative environmental stewardship: Lessons from China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).

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