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Microalgae Cultivation Technologies as an Opportunity for Bioenergetic System Development—Advantages and Limitations

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  • Marcin Dębowski

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Marcin Zieliński

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Joanna Kazimierowicz

    (Department of Water Supply and Sewage Systems, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Bialystok University of Technology, 15-351 Białystok, Poland)

  • Natalia Kujawska

    (InnovaTree Sp. z o.o., 81-451 Gdynia, Poland)

  • Szymon Talbierz

    (InnovaTree Sp. z o.o., 81-451 Gdynia, Poland)

Abstract

Microalgal biomass is currently considered as a sustainable and renewable feedstock for biofuel production (biohydrogen, biomethane, biodiesel) characterized by lower emissions of hazardous air pollutants than fossil fuels. Photobioreactors for microalgae growth can be exploited using many industrial and domestic wastes. It allows locating the commercial microalgal systems in areas that cannot be employed for agricultural purposes, i.e., near heating or wastewater treatment plants and other industrial facilities producing carbon dioxide and organic and nutrient compounds. Despite their high potential, the large-scale algal biomass production technologies are not popular because the systems for biomass production, separation, drainage, and conversion into energy carriers are difficult to explicitly assess and balance, considering the ecological and economical concerns. Most of the studies presented in the literature have been carried out on a small, laboratory scale. This significantly limits the possibility of obtaining reliable data for a comprehensive assessment of the efficiency of such solutions. Therefore, there is a need to verify the results in pilot-scale and the full technical-scale studies. This study summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of microalgal biomass production technologies for bioenergetic applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcin Dębowski & Marcin Zieliński & Joanna Kazimierowicz & Natalia Kujawska & Szymon Talbierz, 2020. "Microalgae Cultivation Technologies as an Opportunity for Bioenergetic System Development—Advantages and Limitations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-37, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:23:p:9980-:d:453359
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    2. Vladimir Heredia & Olivier Gonçalves & Luc Marchal & Jeremy Pruvost, 2021. "Producing Energy-Rich Microalgae Biomass for Liquid Biofuels: Influence of Strain Selection and Culture Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-15, February.
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    4. Magda Dudek & Marcin Dębowski & Anna Nowicka & Joanna Kazimierowicz & Marcin Zieliński, 2022. "The Effect of Autotrophic Cultivation of Platymonas subcordiformis in Waters from the Natural Aquatic Reservoir on Hydrogen Yield," Resources, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-11, March.
    5. Peter, Angela Paul & Koyande, Apurav Krishna & Chew, Kit Wayne & Ho, Shih-Hsin & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Chang, Jo-Shu & Krishnamoorthy, Rambabu & Banat, Fawzi & Show, Pau Loke, 2022. "Continuous cultivation of microalgae in photobioreactors as a source of renewable energy: Current status and future challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    6. Sze Shin Low & Kien Xiang Bong & Muhammad Mubashir & Chin Kui Cheng & Man Kee Lam & Jun Wei Lim & Yeek Chia Ho & Keat Teong Lee & Heli Siti Halimatul Munawaroh & Pau Loke Show, 2021. "Microalgae Cultivation in Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) Treatment and Biofuel Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-17, March.
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