IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v16y2023i3p1316-d1047622.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Biofuel Production Using Cultivated Algae: Technologies, Economics, and Its Environmental Impacts

Author

Listed:
  • Motasem Y. D. Alazaiza

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, A’Sharqiyah University, Ibra 400, Oman)

  • Ahmed Albahnasawi

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli 41400, Turkey)

  • Tahra Al Maskari

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, A’Sharqiyah University, Ibra 400, Oman)

  • Mohammed Shadi S. Abujazar

    (Al-Aqsa Community Intermediate College, Al-Aqsa University, Gaza 4051, Palestine)

  • Mohammed J. K. Bashir

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar 31900, Malaysia)

  • Dia Eddin Nassani

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Hasan Kalyoncu University, Gaziantep 27500, Turkey)

  • Salem S. Abu Amr

    (International College of Engineering and Management, Seeb 2511, Oman)

Abstract

The process of looking for alternative energy sources is driven by the increasing demand for energy and environmental contamination caused by using fossil fuels. Recent investigations reported the efficiency of microalgae for biofuel production due to its low cost of production, high speed of growth, and ability to grow in harsh environments. In addition, many microalgae are photosynthetic, consuming CO 2 and solar light to grow in biomass and providing a promising bioenergy source. This review presents the recent advances in the application of microalgae for biofuel production. In addition, cultivation and harvesting systems and environmental factors that affect microalgae cultivation for biofuel production have also been discussed. Moreover, lipid extraction and conversion technologies to biofuel are presented. The mixotrophic cultivation strategy is promising as it combines the advantages of heterotrophy and autotrophy. Green harvesting methods such as using bio-coagulants and flocculants are promising technologies to reduce the cost of microalgal biomass production. In the future, more investigations into co-cultivation systems, new green harvesting methods, high lipids extraction methods, and the optimization of lipid extraction and converting processes should be implemented to increase the sustainability of microalgae application for biofuel production.

Suggested Citation

  • Motasem Y. D. Alazaiza & Ahmed Albahnasawi & Tahra Al Maskari & Mohammed Shadi S. Abujazar & Mohammed J. K. Bashir & Dia Eddin Nassani & Salem S. Abu Amr, 2023. "Biofuel Production Using Cultivated Algae: Technologies, Economics, and Its Environmental Impacts," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-27, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:3:p:1316-:d:1047622
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/3/1316/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/3/1316/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Su, Yujie & Song, Kaihui & Zhang, Peidong & Su, Yuqing & Cheng, Jing & Chen, Xiao, 2017. "Progress of microalgae biofuel’s commercialization," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 402-411.
    2. Hussain, Fida & Shah, Syed Z. & Ahmad, Habib & Abubshait, Samar A. & Abubshait, Haya A. & Laref, A. & Manikandan, A. & Kusuma, Heri S. & Iqbal, Munawar, 2021. "Microalgae an ecofriendly and sustainable wastewater treatment option: Biomass application in biofuel and bio-fertilizer production. A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    3. Kleiman, Rachel M. & Characklis, Gregory W. & Kern, Jordan D. & Gerlach, Robin, 2021. "Characterizing weather-related biophysical and financial risks in algal biofuel production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).
    4. Saber, Mohammad & Golzary, Abooali & Hosseinpour, Morteza & Takahashi, Fumitake & Yoshikawa, Kunio, 2016. "Catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgae using nanocatalyst," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 566-576.
    5. Mofijur, M. & Rasul, M.G. & Hyde, J. & Azad, A.K. & Mamat, R. & Bhuiya, M.M.K., 2016. "Role of biofuel and their binary (diesel–biodiesel) and ternary (ethanol–biodiesel–diesel) blends on internal combustion engines emission reduction," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 265-278.
    6. Bennion, Edward P. & Ginosar, Daniel M. & Moses, John & Agblevor, Foster & Quinn, Jason C., 2015. "Lifecycle assessment of microalgae to biofuel: Comparison of thermochemical processing pathways," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 1062-1071.
    7. Chu, Ruoyu & Li, Shuangxi & Zhu, Liandong & Yin, Zhihong & Hu, Dan & Liu, Chenchen & Mo, Fan, 2021. "A review on co-cultivation of microalgae with filamentous fungi: Efficient harvesting, wastewater treatment and biofuel production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    8. Brennan, Liam & Owende, Philip, 2010. "Biofuels from microalgae--A review of technologies for production, processing, and extractions of biofuels and co-products," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(2), pages 557-577, February.
    9. Ankita Juneja & Ruben Michael Ceballos & Ganti S. Murthy, 2013. "Effects of Environmental Factors and Nutrient Availability on the Biochemical Composition of Algae for Biofuels Production: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 6(9), pages 1-32, September.
    10. Silitonga, A.S. & Mahlia, T.M.I. & Kusumo, F. & Dharma, S. & Sebayang, A.H. & Sembiring, R.W. & Shamsuddin, A.H., 2019. "Intensification of Reutealis trisperma biodiesel production using infrared radiation: Simulation, optimisation and validation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 520-527.
    11. Ju, Chao & Wang, Feng & Huang, Yong & Fang, Yunming, 2018. "Selective extraction of neutral lipid from wet algae paste and subsequently hydroconversion into renewable jet fuel," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 521-526.
    12. Michael Kröger & Marco Klemm & Michael Nelles, 2019. "Extraction Behavior of Different Conditioned S. Rubescens," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-7, April.
    13. Silitonga, A.S. & Shamsuddin, A.H. & Mahlia, T.M.I. & Milano, Jassinne & Kusumo, F. & Siswantoro, Joko & Dharma, S. & Sebayang, A.H. & Masjuki, H.H. & Ong, Hwai Chyuan, 2020. "Biodiesel synthesis from Ceiba pentandra oil by microwave irradiation-assisted transesterification: ELM modeling and optimization," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 1278-1291.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Beata Brzychczyk & Jan Giełżecki & Krzysztof Kijanowski & Tomasz Hebda & Filip Rzepka, 2023. "Automation of the Photobioreactor Lighting System to Manage Light Distribution in Microalgae Cultures," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-20, October.
    2. Md Sumon Reza & Zhanar Baktybaevna Iskakova & Shammya Afroze & Kairat Kuterbekov & Asset Kabyshev & Kenzhebatyr Zh. Bekmyrza & Marzhan M. Kubenova & Muhammad Saifullah Abu Bakar & Abul K. Azad & Hrido, 2023. "Influence of Catalyst on the Yield and Quality of Bio-Oil for the Catalytic Pyrolysis of Biomass: A Comprehensive Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-39, July.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lim, Jackson Hwa Keen & Gan, Yong Yang & Ong, Hwai Chyuan & Lau, Beng Fye & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Chong, Cheng Tung & Ling, Tau Chuan & Klemeš, Jiří Jaromír, 2021. "Utilization of microalgae for bio-jet fuel production in the aviation sector: Challenges and perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    2. Mathimani, Thangavel & Mallick, Nirupama, 2018. "A comprehensive review on harvesting of microalgae for biodiesel – Key challenges and future directions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 1103-1120.
    3. Leong, Yoong Kit & Chang, Jo-Shu, 2023. "Waste stream valorization-based low-carbon bioeconomy utilizing algae as a biorefinery platform," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    4. Muhammad, Gul & Alam, Md Asraful & Mofijur, M. & Jahirul, M.I. & Lv, Yongkun & Xiong, Wenlong & Ong, Hwai Chyuan & Xu, Jingliang, 2021. "Modern developmental aspects in the field of economical harvesting and biodiesel production from microalgae biomass," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    5. Goh, Brandon Han Hoe & Ong, Hwai Chyuan & Cheah, Mei Yee & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Yu, Kai Ling & Mahlia, Teuku Meurah Indra, 2019. "Sustainability of direct biodiesel synthesis from microalgae biomass: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 59-74.
    6. Xu, Donghai & Lin, Guike & Guo, Shuwei & Wang, Shuzhong & Guo, Yang & Jing, Zefeng, 2018. "Catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction of algae and upgrading of biocrude: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 103-118.
    7. Banerjee, Sanjukta & Banerjee, Srijoni & Ghosh, Ananta K. & Das, Debabrata, 2020. "Maneuvering the genetic and metabolic pathway for improving biofuel production in algae: Present status and future prospective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    8. Chamkalani, A. & Zendehboudi, S. & Rezaei, N. & Hawboldt, K., 2020. "A critical review on life cycle analysis of algae biodiesel: current challenges and future prospects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    9. Abreu, Ana P. & Morais, Rui C. & Teixeira, José A. & Nunes, João, 2022. "A comparison between microalgal autotrophic growth and metabolite accumulation with heterotrophic, mixotrophic and photoheterotrophic cultivation modes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    10. 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).
    11. Shrasti Vasistha & Anwesha Khanra & Monika Prakash Rai & Shakeel Ahmad Khan & Zengling Ma & Heli Siti Halimatul Munawaroh & Doris Ying Ying Tang & Pau Loke Show, 2023. "Exploring the Pivotal Significance of Microalgae-Derived Sustainable Lipid Production: A Critical Review of Green Bioenergy Development," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-27, January.
    12. Xu, Donghai & Guo, Shuwei & Liu, Liang & Lin, Guike & Wu, Zhiqiang & Guo, Yang & Wang, Shuzhong, 2019. "Heterogeneous catalytic effects on the characteristics of water-soluble and water-insoluble biocrudes in chlorella hydrothermal liquefaction," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C), pages 165-174.
    13. Yin, Zhihong & Chu, Ruoyu & Zhu, Liandong & Li, Shuangxi & Mo, Fan & Hu, Dan & Liu, Chenchen, 2021. "Application of chitosan-based flocculants to harvest microalgal biomass for biofuel production: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    14. Patryk Ratomski & Małgorzata Hawrot-Paw & Adam Koniuszy & Wojciech Golimowski & Andrzej Kwaśnica & Damian Marcinkowski, 2023. "Indicators of Engine Performance Powered by a Biofuel Blend Produced from Microalgal Biomass: A Step towards the Decarbonization of Transport," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-17, July.
    15. Gu, X. & Martinez-Fernandez, J.S. & Pang, N. & Fu, X. & Chen, S., 2020. "Recent development of hydrothermal liquefaction for algal biorefinery," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    16. Pandey, Ashutosh & Gupta, Aarti & Sunny, Arrabachala & Kumar, Sanjay & Srivastava, Sameer, 2020. "Multi-objective optimization of media components for improved algae biomass, fatty acid and starch biosynthesis from Scenedesmus sp. ASK22 using desirability function approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 476-486.
    17. Sirajunnisa, Abdul Razack & Surendhiran, Duraiarasan, 2016. "Algae – A quintessential and positive resource of bioethanol production: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 248-267.
    18. Adeniyi, Oladapo Martins & Azimov, Ulugbek & Burluka, Alexey, 2018. "Algae biofuel: Current status and future applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 316-335.
    19. Celine Marie A. Solis & Jayne Lois G. San Juan & Andres Philip Mayol & Charlle L. Sy & Aristotle T. Ubando & Alvin B. Culaba, 2021. "A Multi-Objective Life Cycle Optimization Model of an Integrated Algal Biorefinery toward a Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy Considering Resource Recirculation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-22, March.
    20. Babatunde Oladipo & Tunde V Ojumu & Lekan M Latinwo & Eriola Betiku, 2020. "Pawpaw ( Carica papaya ) Peel Waste as a Novel Green Heterogeneous Catalyst for Moringa Oil Methyl Esters Synthesis: Process Optimization and Kinetic Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-25, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:3:p:1316-:d:1047622. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.