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Algal Biomass from Wastewater and Flue Gases as a Source of Bioenergy

Author

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  • Sandra Lage

    (Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83 Umeå, Sweden
    The authors contributed equally to the work.
    Present address: Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83 Umeå, Sweden.)

  • Zivan Gojkovic

    (Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, 907 36 Umeå, Sweden
    The authors contributed equally to the work.)

  • Christiane Funk

    (Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, 907 36 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Francesco G. Gentili

    (Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83 Umeå, Sweden)

Abstract

Algae are without doubt the most productive photosynthetic organisms on Earth; they are highly efficient in converting CO 2 and nutrients into biomass. These abilities can be exploited by culturing microalgae from wastewater and flue gases for effective wastewater reclamation. Algae are known to remove nitrogen and phosphorus as well as several organic contaminants including pharmaceuticals from wastewater. Biomass production can even be enhanced by the addition of CO 2 originating from flue gases. The algal biomass can then be used as a raw material to produce bioenergy; depending on its composition, various types of biofuels such as biodiesel, biogas, bioethanol, biobutanol or biohydrogen can be obtained. However, algal biomass generated in wastewater and flue gases also contains contaminants which, if not degraded, will end up in the ashes. In this review, the current knowledge on algal biomass production in wastewater and flue gases is summarized; special focus is given to the algal capacity to remove contaminants from wastewater and flue gases, and the consequences when converting this biomass into different types of biofuels.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:3:p:664-:d:136481
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    2. Agata Jabłońska-Trypuć & Elżbieta Wołejko & Mahmudova Dildora Ernazarovna & Aleksandra Głowacka & Gabriela Sokołowska & Urszula Wydro, 2023. "Using Algae for Biofuel Production: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-23, February.
    3. Radek Šulc & Jan Dymák, 2021. "Hydrodynamics and Mass Transfer in a Concentric Internal Jet-Loop Airlift Bioreactor Equipped with a Deflector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-28, July.
    4. Jerónimo Chirivella-Martorell & Álvaro Briz-Redón & Ángel Serrano-Aroca, 2018. "Modelling of Biomass Concentration, Multi-Wavelength Absorption and Discrimination Method for Seven Important Marine Microalgae Species," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-13, April.
    5. Esveidi Montserrat Valdovinos-García & Juan Barajas-Fernández & María de los Ángeles Olán-Acosta & Moisés Abraham Petriz-Prieto & Adriana Guzmán-López & Micael Gerardo Bravo-Sánchez, 2020. "Techno-Economic Study of CO 2 Capture of a Thermoelectric Plant Using Microalgae ( Chlorella vulgaris ) for Production of Feedstock for Bioenergy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-19, January.

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