Can algae-based technologies be an affordable green process for biofuel production and wastewater remediation?

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 256; pp. 491 - 501
• Main Authors: Vo Hoang Nhat, P., Ngo, H.H., Guo, W.S., Chang, S.W., Nguyen, D.D., Nguyen, P.D., Bui, X.T., Zhang, X.B., Guo, J.B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-05-2018
• Subjects: Algae; Biofuel production; Biofuels; Nutrient removal; Plant Oils; Polyphenols; Waste Water; Wastewater remediation; Nutrient removal; Biofuel production; Wastewater remediation; Algae
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.02.031

[Display omitted]
•Microalgae has more lipid content while macroalgae is rich of carbohydrate.•Algae is efficient in nutrients removal.•Combined processes, optimization and algae strains screening are important.•Revenues in algae-based biofuel production and wastewater remediation are limited.•Policy and social support for commercialization are lacking.
Algae is a well-known organism that its characteristic is prominent for biofuel production and wastewater remediation. This critical review aims to present the applicability of algae with in-depth discussion regarding three key aspects: (i) characterization of algae for its applications; (ii) the technical approaches and their strengths and drawbacks; and (iii) future perspectives of algae-based technologies. The process optimization and combinations with other chemical and biological processes have generated efficiency, in which bio-oil yield is up to 41.1%. Through life cycle assessment, algae bio-energy achieves high energy return than fossil fuel. Thus, the algae-based technologies can reasonably be considered as green approaches. Although selling price of algae bio-oil is still high (about $2 L−1) compared to fossil fuel’s price of $1 L−1, it is expected that the algae bio-oil’s price will become acceptable in the next coming decades and potentially dominate 75% of the market.