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Key Targets for Improving Algal Biofuel Production

Author

Listed:
  • Gareth Griffiths

    (Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI), College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4-7ET, UK)

  • Abul Kalam Hossain

    (Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI), College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4-7ET, UK)

  • Vikas Sharma

    (Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI), College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4-7ET, UK)

  • Ganesh Duraisamy

    (Internal Combustion Engineering Division, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Anna University, Chennai 600-025, India)

Abstract

A number of technological challenges need to be overcome if algae are to be utilized for commercial fuel production. Current economic assessment is largely based on laboratory scale up or commercial systems geared to the production of high value products, since no industrial scale plant exits that are dedicated to algal biofuel. For macroalgae (‘seaweeds’), the most promising processes are anaerobic digestion for biomethane production and fermentation for bioethanol, the latter with levels exceeding those from sugar cane. Currently, both processes could be enhanced by increasing the rate of degradation of the complex polysaccharide cell walls to generate fermentable sugars using specifically tailored hydrolytic enzymes. For microalgal biofuel production, open raceway ponds are more cost-effective than photobioreactors, with CO 2 and harvesting/dewatering costs estimated to be ~50% and up to 15% of total costs, respectively. These costs need to be reduced by an order of magnitude if algal biodiesel is to compete with petroleum. Improved economics could be achieved by using a low-cost water supply supplemented with high glucose and nutrients from food grade industrial wastewater and using more efficient flocculation methods and CO 2 from power plants. Solar radiation of not <3000 h·yr −1 favours production sites 30° north or south of the equator and should use marginal land with flat topography near oceans. Possible geographical sites are discussed. In terms of biomass conversion, advances in wet technologies such as hydrothermal liquefaction, anaerobic digestion, and transesterification for algal biodiesel are presented and how these can be integrated into a biorefinery are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Gareth Griffiths & Abul Kalam Hossain & Vikas Sharma & Ganesh Duraisamy, 2021. "Key Targets for Improving Algal Biofuel Production," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 3(4), pages 1-32, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jcltec:v:3:y:2021:i:4:p:43-742:d:652777
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John J. Milledge & Birthe V. Nielsen & Supattra Maneein & Patricia J. Harvey, 2019. "A Brief Review of Anaerobic Digestion of Algae for Bioenergy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-22, March.
    2. Ramachandra, T.V. & Hebbale, Deepthi, 2020. "Bioethanol from macroalgae: Prospects and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
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