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Environment-enhancing algal biofuel production using wastewaters

Author

Listed:
  • Zhou, Wenguang
  • Chen, Paul
  • Min, Min
  • Ma, Xiaochen
  • Wang, Jinghan
  • Griffith, Richard
  • Hussain, Fida
  • Peng, Pu
  • Xie, Qinglong
  • Li, Yun
  • Shi, Jian
  • Meng, Jianzong
  • Ruan, Roger

Abstract

The potential of algae-based biofuels to replace petroleum fuels and mitigate greenhouse gas production through microalgal photosynthesis has long been recognized. However, currently there are no commercial algae-to-fuels technologies that can overcome techno-economic barriers and address serious sustainability concerns. Coupling microalgae cultivation with wastewater treatment is considered as one of the most promising routes to produce bio-energy and bio-based byproducts in an economically viable and environmentally friendly way. This paper critically reviews the current status of this specific niche research area covering utilization of different types of wastewaters as media for algae cultivation, microalgae selection, bioreactor type, cultivation mode, environmental factors and operational parameters as well as harvesting techniques and production of a broad spectrum of biofuels and byproducts through various conversion pathways. Future development of practical solutions to key problems and integration of advanced algae cultivation and wastewater treatment, and system analysis approach to the evaluation of economic feasibility and sustainability of wastewater-based algal biofuel production are also discussed in depth.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhou, Wenguang & Chen, Paul & Min, Min & Ma, Xiaochen & Wang, Jinghan & Griffith, Richard & Hussain, Fida & Peng, Pu & Xie, Qinglong & Li, Yun & Shi, Jian & Meng, Jianzong & Ruan, Roger, 2014. "Environment-enhancing algal biofuel production using wastewaters," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 256-269.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:36:y:2014:i:c:p:256-269
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2014.04.073
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    3. Zhou, Wenguang & Wang, Jinghan & Chen, Paul & Ji, Chengcheng & Kang, Qiuyun & Lu, Bei & Li, Kun & Liu, Jin & Ruan, Roger, 2017. "Bio-mitigation of carbon dioxide using microalgal systems: Advances and perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 1163-1175.
    4. Guyue Zou & Yuhuan Liu & Qi Zhang & Ting Zhou & Shuyu Xiang & Zhiqiang Gu & Qiaoyun Huang & Hongbin Yan & Hongli Zheng & Xiaodan Wu & Yunpu Wang & Roger Ruan & Mingzhi Liu, 2020. "Cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris in a Light-Receiving-Plate (LRP)-Enhanced Raceway Pond for Ammonium and Phosphorus Removal from Pretreated Pig Urine," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-15, April.
    5. Xingguan Ma & Wenhao Jian, 2023. "Growth Conditions and Growth Kinetics of Chlorella Vulgaris Cultured in Domestic Sewage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-13, January.
    6. Cheah, Wai Yan & Ling, Tau Chuan & Show, Pau Loke & Juan, Joon Ching & Chang, Jo-Shu & Lee, Duu-Jong, 2016. "Cultivation in wastewaters for energy: A microalgae platform," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 609-625.
    7. Tu, Qingshi & Eckelman, Matthew & Zimmerman, Julie Beth, 2018. "Harmonized algal biofuel life cycle assessment studies enable direct process train comparison," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C), pages 494-509.
    8. Zhang, Tian-Yuan & Hu, Hong-Ying & Wu, Yin-Hu & Zhuang, Lin-Lan & Xu, Xue-Qiao & Wang, Xiao-Xiong & Dao, Guo-Hua, 2016. "Promising solutions to solve the bottlenecks in the large-scale cultivation of microalgae for biomass/bioenergy production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 1602-1614.
    9. Shah, Syed Hasnain & Raja, Iftikhar Ahmed & Rizwan, Muhammad & Rashid, Naim & Mahmood, Qaisar & Shah, Fayyaz Ali & Pervez, Arshid, 2018. "Potential of microalgal biodiesel production and its sustainability perspectives in Pakistan," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 76-92.
    10. Bibi, Riaz & Ahmad, Zulfiqar & Imran, Muhammad & Hussain, Sabir & Ditta, Allah & Mahmood, Shahid & Khalid, Azeem, 2017. "Algal bioethanol production technology: A trend towards sustainable development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 976-985.
    11. Sandra Lage & Zivan Gojkovic & Christiane Funk & Francesco G. Gentili, 2018. "Algal Biomass from Wastewater and Flue Gases as a Source of Bioenergy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-30, March.
    12. Lam, Man Kee & Yusoff, Mohammad Iqram & Uemura, Yoshimitsu & Lim, Jun Wei & Khoo, Choon Gek & Lee, Keat Teong & Ong, Hwai Chyuan, 2017. "Cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris using nutrients source from domestic wastewater for biodiesel production: Growth condition and kinetic studies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 197-207.
    13. Vasistha, S. & Khanra, A. & Clifford, M. & Rai, M.P., 2021. "Current advances in microalgae harvesting and lipid extraction processes for improved biodiesel production: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    14. Han, Song-Fang & Jin, Wenbiao & Yang, Qian & El-Fatah Abomohra, Abd & Zhou, Xu & Tu, Renjie & Chen, Chuan & Xie, Guo-Jun & Wang, Qilin, 2019. "Application of pulse electric field pretreatment for enhancing lipid extraction from Chlorella pyrenoidosa grown in wastewater," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 233-239.
    15. Attila Bai & József Popp & Károly Pető & Irén Szőke & Mónika Harangi-Rákos & Zoltán Gabnai, 2017. "The Significance of Forests and Algae in CO 2 Balance: A Hungarian Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-24, May.

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