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Production of biofuels from microalgae

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  • Sophie Fon Sing
  • Andreas Isdepsky
  • Michael Borowitzka
  • Navid Moheimani

Abstract

The production of biofuels from microalgae, especially biodiesel, has become a topic of great interest in recent years. However, many of the published papers do not consider the question of scale up and the feasibility of the various processes to be operated at the very large scale required if algal biofuels are to make a meaningful contribution to renewable fuels. All the steps in the process must also be very low cost. This paper discusses the unit processes required for algal biofuels production (i.e., growing the algae, harvesting, dewatering, extraction and conversion to biofuel) and their scalability. In many cases, especially in the lipid extraction step, little is known as yet as to the scalability and economic feasibility of the various processes proposed. We also highlight the key engineering and biological issues which must be resolved for the production of biofuels from microalgae to become an economic reality. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Sophie Fon Sing & Andreas Isdepsky & Michael Borowitzka & Navid Moheimani, 2013. "Production of biofuels from microalgae," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 47-72, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:masfgc:v:18:y:2013:i:1:p:47-72
    DOI: 10.1007/s11027-011-9294-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Verbruggen, Aviel & Al Marchohi, Mohamed, 2010. "Views on peak oil and its relation to climate change policy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(10), pages 5572-5581, October.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Katiyar, Richa & Gurjar, B.R. & Biswas, Shalini & Pruthi, Vikas & Kumar, Nalin & Kumar, Prashant, 2017. "Microalgae: An emerging source of energy based bio-products and a solution for environmental issues," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 1083-1093.
    2. Moheimani, Navid Reza & Parlevliet, David, 2013. "Sustainable solar energy conversion to chemical and electrical energy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 494-504.
    3. Boruff, Bryan J. & Moheimani, Navid R. & Borowitzka, Michael A., 2015. "Identifying locations for large-scale microalgae cultivation in Western Australia: A GIS approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 379-391.
    4. Chaudry, Sofia & Bahri, Parisa A. & Moheimani, Navid R., 2015. "Pathways of processing of wet microalgae for liquid fuel production: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 1240-1250.
    5. Oncel, Suphi S., 2013. "Microalgae for a macroenergy world," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 241-264.
    6. XU, Yaoyang & Boeing, Wiebke J., 2014. "Modeling maximum lipid productivity of microalgae: Review and next step," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 29-39.
    7. J. Pires & A. Gonçalves & F. Martins & M. Alvim-Ferraz & M. Simões, 2014. "Effect of light supply on CO 2 capture from atmosphere by Chlorella vulgaris and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 19(7), pages 1109-1117, October.
    8. Bahadar, Ali & Bilal Khan, M., 2013. "Progress in energy from microalgae: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 128-148.
    9. Ishika, Tasneema & Moheimani, Navid R. & Bahri, Parisa A., 2017. "Sustainable saline microalgae co-cultivation for biofuel production: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 356-368.

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