IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i17p13193-d1231455.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Recent Advances in Seaweed Biorefineries and Assessment of Their Potential for Carbon Capture and Storage

Author

Listed:
  • Katherine G. Johnston

    (School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, King’s Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK)

  • Abdelfatah Abomohra

    (Aquatic Ecophysiology and Phycology, Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology, University of Hamburg, 22609 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Christopher E. French

    (School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, King’s Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
    Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Joint Research Centre for Engineering Biology, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China)

  • Abdelrahman S. Zaky

    (School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, King’s Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK)

Abstract

Seaweeds are among the most important biomass feedstocks for the production of third-generation biofuels. They are also efficient in carbon sequestration during growth and produce a variety of high-value chemicals. Given these characteristics together with the relatively high carbohydrate content, seaweeds have been discussed as an ideal means for CO 2 capture and biofuel production. Though third-generation biofuels have emerged as some of the best alternatives to fossil fuels, there is currently no large-scale production or mainstream use of such liquid fuels due to the many technical challenges and high production costs. The present study describes the concept of coastal marine biorefineries as the most cost-effective and sustainable approach for biofuel production from seaweeds, as well as atmospheric carbon capture and storage (CCS). The suggested refinery system makes use of marine resources, namely seawater, seaweed, and marine microorganisms. Firstly, extensive screening of the current literature was performed to determine which technologies would enable the emergence of such a novel biorefinery system and its merits over conventional refineries. Secondly, the study investigates various scenarios assessing the potential of seaweeds as a means of carbon sequestration. We demonstrate that the removal of 100 Gigatons of excess CO 2 using seaweed farms can be achieved in around 4 months to less than 12 years depending on the area under cultivation and the seaweed species. The total bioethanol that could be generated from the harvested biomass is around 8 trillion litres. In addition, high-value chemicals (HVC) that could potentially be recovered from the process represent a considerable opportunity with multi-billion-dollar commercial value. Overall, coastal marine biorefineries have strong potential for a sustainable green economy and represent a rapid approach to climate change mitigation.

Suggested Citation

  • Katherine G. Johnston & Abdelfatah Abomohra & Christopher E. French & Abdelrahman S. Zaky, 2023. "Recent Advances in Seaweed Biorefineries and Assessment of Their Potential for Carbon Capture and Storage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-32, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:17:p:13193-:d:1231455
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/17/13193/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/17/13193/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tedesco, S. & Marrero Barroso, T. & Olabi, A.G., 2014. "Optimization of mechanical pre-treatment of Laminariaceae spp. biomass-derived biogas," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 527-534.
    2. Damiano Spagnuolo & Antonio Di Martino & Vincenzo Zammuto & Simona Armeli Minicante & Antonio Spanò & Antonio Manghisi & Concetta Gugliandolo & Marina Morabito & Giuseppa Genovese, 2022. "Conventional vs. Innovative Protocols for the Extraction of Polysaccharides from Macroalgae," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Zhang, Quanguo & Nurhayati, & Cheng, Chieh-Lun & Nagarajan, Dillirani & Chang, Jo-Shu & Hu, Jianjun & Lee, Duu-Jong, 2017. "Carbon capture and utilization of fermentation CO2: Integrated ethanol fermentation and succinic acid production as an efficient platform," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 364-371.
    4. Weldemhret, Teklebrahan G. & Bañares, Angelo B. & Ramos, Kristine Rose M. & Lee, Won-Keun & Nisola, Grace M. & Valdehuesa, Kris Niño G. & Chung, Wook-Jin, 2020. "Current advances in ionic liquid-based pre-treatment and depolymerization of macroalgal biomass," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 283-299.
    5. Tedesco, Silvia & Mac Lochlainn, Dubhaltach & Olabi, Abdul Ghani, 2014. "Particle size reduction optimization of Laminaria spp. biomass for enhanced methane production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 857-862.
    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. Reiko Omoto & Masato Uehara & Daigo Seki & Masaru Kinjo, 2024. "Supply Chain-Based Coral Conservation: The Case of Mozuku Seaweed Farming in Onna Village, Okinawa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-23, March.

    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. Papurello, Davide & Lanzini, Andrea & Tognana, Lorenzo & Silvestri, Silvia & Santarelli, Massimo, 2015. "Waste to energy: Exploitation of biogas from organic waste in a 500 Wel solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 145-158.
    2. Tedesco, S. & Daniels, S., 2018. "Optimisation of biogas generation from brown seaweed residues: Compositional and geographical parameters affecting the viability of a biorefinery concept," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 712-723.
    3. Intaramas, Kanpichcha & Jonglertjunya, Woranart & Laosiripojana, Navadol & Sakdaronnarong, Chularat, 2018. "Selective conversion of cassava mash to glucose using solid acid catalysts by sequential solid state mixed-milling reaction and thermo-hydrolysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 837-847.
    4. Tamilarasan, K. & Kavitha, S. & Selvam, Ammaiyappan & Rajesh Banu, J. & Yeom, Ick Tae & Nguyen, Dinh Duc & Saratale, Ganesh Dattatraya, 2018. "Cost-effective, low thermo-chemo disperser pretreatment for biogas production potential of marine macroalgae Chaetomorpha antennina," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 533-545.
    5. Alaswad, A. & Dassisti, M. & Prescott, T. & Olabi, A.G., 2015. "Technologies and developments of third generation biofuel production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 1446-1460.
    6. Nizami, A.S. & Ouda, O.K.M. & Rehan, M. & El-Maghraby, A.M.O. & Gardy, J. & Hassanpour, A. & Kumar, S. & Ismail, I.M.I., 2016. "The potential of Saudi Arabian natural zeolites in energy recovery technologies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 162-171.
    7. Rodriguez, C. & Alaswad, A. & El-Hassan, Z. & Olabi, A.G., 2018. "Improvement of methane production from P. canaliculata through mechanical pretreatment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 73-78.
    8. Kouhgardi, Esmaeil & Zendehboudi, Sohrab & Mohammadzadeh, Omid & Lohi, Ali & Chatzis, Ioannis, 2023. "Current status and future prospects of biofuel production from brown algae in North America: Progress and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    9. Thompson, T.M. & Young, B.R. & Baroutian, S., 2020. "Pelagic Sargassum for energy and fertiliser production in the Caribbean: A case study on Barbados," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    10. Zeng, Xianhai & Guo, Xiaoyi & Su, Gaomin & Danquah, Michael K. & Zhang, Shiduo & Lu, Yinghua & Sun, Yong & Lin, Lu, 2015. "Bioprocess considerations for microalgal-based wastewater treatment and biomass production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 1385-1392.
    11. Amarnath Krishnamoorthy & Cristina Rodriguez & Andy Durrant, 2022. "Sustainable Approaches to Microalgal Pre-Treatment Techniques for Biodiesel Production: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-30, August.
    12. Budzianowski, Wojciech M., 2016. "A review of potential innovations for production, conditioning and utilization of biogas with multiple-criteria assessment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 1148-1171.
    13. Montingelli, M.E. & Benyounis, K.Y. & Quilty, B. & Stokes, J. & Olabi, A.G., 2017. "Influence of mechanical pretreatment and organic concentration of Irish brown seaweed for methane production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 1079-1089.
    14. Montingelli, Maria E. & Benyounis, Khaled Y. & Quilty, Brid & Stokes, Joseph & Olabi, Abdul G., 2016. "Optimisation of biogas production from the macroalgae Laminaria sp. at different periods of harvesting in Ireland," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 671-682.
    15. Yang, Qiulian & Li, Haitao & Wang, Dong & Zhang, Xiaochun & Guo, Xiangqian & Pu, Shaochen & Guo, Ruixin & Chen, Jianqiu, 2020. "Utilization of chemical wastewater for CO2 emission reduction: Purified terephthalic acid (PTA) wastewater-mediated culture of microalgae for CO2 bio-capture," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    16. Kainthola, Jyoti & Kalamdhad, Ajay S. & Goud, Vaibhav V., 2020. "Optimization of process parameters for accelerated methane yield from anaerobic co-digestion of rice straw and food waste," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 1352-1359.
    17. Adnan, Muflih A. & Azis, Muhammad Mufti & Quddus, Mohammad R. & Hossain, Mohammad M., 2018. "Integrated liquid fuel based chemical looping combustion – parametric study for efficient power generation and CO2 capture," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 2398-2406.
    18. El Hage, Hicham & Herez, Amal & Ramadan, Mohamad & Bazzi, Hassan & Khaled, Mahmoud, 2018. "An investigation on solar drying: A review with economic and environmental assessment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 815-829.
    19. Mhatre, Apurv & Gore, Suhas & Mhatre, Akanksha & Trivedi, Nitin & Sharma, Manju & Pandit, Reena & Anil, Annamma & Lali, Arvind, 2019. "Effect of multiple product extractions on bio-methane potential of marine macrophytic green alga Ulva lactuca," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 742-751.
    20. Onumaegbu, C. & Mooney, J. & Alaswad, A. & Olabi, A.G., 2018. "Pre-treatment methods for production of biofuel from microalgae biomass," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 16-26.

    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:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:17:p:13193-:d:1231455. 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.