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Ideris F, Zamri MFMA, Shamsuddin AH, Nomanbhay S, Kusumo F, Fattah IMR, Mahlia TMI. Progress on Conventional and Advanced Techniques of In Situ Transesterification of Microalgae Lipids for Biodiesel Production. ENERGIES 2022; 15:7190. [DOI: 10.3390/en15197190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Global warming and the depletion of fossil fuels have spurred many efforts in the quest for finding renewable, alternative sources of fuels, such as biodiesel. Due to its auxiliary functions in areas such as carbon dioxide sequestration and wastewater treatment, the potential of microalgae as a feedstock for biodiesel production has attracted a lot of attention from researchers all over the world. Major improvements have been made from the upstream to the downstream aspects related to microalgae processing. One of the main concerns is the high cost associated with the production of biodiesel from microalgae, which includes drying of the biomass and the subsequent lipid extraction. These two processes can be circumvented by applying direct or in situ transesterification of the wet microalgae biomass, hence substantially reducing the cost. In situ transesterification is considered as a significant improvement to commercially produce biodiesel from microalgae. This review covers the methods used to extract lipids from microalgae and various in situ transesterification methods, focusing on recent developments related to the process. Nevertheless, more studies need to be conducted to further enhance the discussed in situ transesterification methods before implementing them on a commercial scale.
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Chinni G, Alarifi IM, Rahimi-Gorji M, Asmatulu R. Investigating the effects of process parameters on microalgae growth, lipid extraction, and stable nanoemulsion productions. J Mol Liq 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2019.111308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Development of thin-layer cascades for microalgae cultivation: milestones (review). Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2019; 64:603-614. [PMID: 31359261 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-019-00739-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In this work, the key moments of the development of the so-called thin-layer cascades (TLC) for microalgae production are described. Development started at the end of the 1950s when the first generation of TLCs was set-up in former Czechoslovakia. Since, similar units for microalgae culturing, which are relatively simple, low-cost and highly productive, have been installed in a number of other countries worldwide. The TLCs are characterized by microalgae growth at a low depth (< 50 mm) and fast flow (0.4-0.5 m/s) of culture compared to mixed ponds or raceways. It guarantees a high ratio of exposed surface to total culture volume (> 100 1/m) and rapid light/dark cycling frequencies of cells which result in high biomass productivity (> 30 g/m2/day) and operating at high biomass density, > 10 g/L of dry mass (DW). In TLCs, microalgae culture is grown in the system of inclined platforms that combine the advantages of open systems-direct sun irradiance, easy heat derivation, simple cleaning and maintenance, and efficient degassing-with positive features of closed systems-operation at high biomass densities achieving high volumetric productivity. Among significant advantages of thin layer cascades compared to raceway ponds are the operation at much higher cell densities, very high daylight productivities, and the possibility to store the culture in retention tanks at night, or in unfavourable weather conditions. Concerning the limitations of TLCs, one has to consider contaminations by other microalgae that limit cultivation to robust, fast-growing strains, or those cultured in selective environments.
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Molazadeh M, Ahmadzadeh H, Pourianfar HR, Lyon S, Rampelotto PH. The Use of Microalgae for Coupling Wastewater Treatment With CO 2 Biofixation. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:42. [PMID: 30941348 PMCID: PMC6433782 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Production and emission of CO2 from different sources have caused significant changes in the climate, which is the major concern related to global warming. Among other CO2 removal approaches, microalgae can efficiently remove CO2 through the rapid production of algal biomass. In addition, microalgae have the potential to be used in wastewater treatment. Although, wastewater treatment and CO2 removal by microalgae have been studied separately for a long time, there is no detailed information available on combining both processes. In this review article, microalgae-based CO2 biofixation, various microalgae cultivation systems,¯ and microalgae-derived wastewater treatment are separately discussed, followed by the concept of integration of CO2 biofixation process and wastewater treatment. In each section, details of energy efficiency and differences across microalgae species are also given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marziyeh Molazadeh
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hossein Ahmadzadeh
- Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamid R. Pourianfar
- Culture and Research (ACECR)-Khorasan Razavi Branch, Industrial Fungi Biotechnology Research Department, Academic Center for Education, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Stephen Lyon
- SRL-Environmental, LLC, Racine, WI, United States
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Li-Beisson Y, Thelen JJ, Fedosejevs E, Harwood JL. The lipid biochemistry of eukaryotic algae. Prog Lipid Res 2019; 74:31-68. [PMID: 30703388 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Algal lipid metabolism fascinates both scientists and entrepreneurs due to the large diversity of fatty acyl structures that algae produce. Algae have therefore long been studied as sources of genes for novel fatty acids; and, due to their superior biomass productivity, algae are also considered a potential feedstock for biofuels. However, a major issue in a commercially viable "algal oil-to-biofuel" industry is the high production cost, because most algal species only produce large amounts of oils after being exposed to stress conditions. Recent studies have therefore focused on the identification of factors involved in TAG metabolism, on the subcellular organization of lipid pathways, and on interactions between organelles. This has been accompanied by the development of genetic/genomic and synthetic biological tools not only for the reference green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii but also for Nannochloropsis spp. and Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Advances in our understanding of enzymes and regulatory proteins of acyl lipid biosynthesis and turnover are described herein with a focus on carbon and energetic aspects. We also summarize how changes in environmental factors can impact lipid metabolism and describe present and potential industrial uses of algal lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghua Li-Beisson
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, UMR7265, CEA Cadarache, Saint-Paul-lez Durance F-13108, France.
| | - Jay J Thelen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, Columbia, MO 65211, United States.
| | - Eric Fedosejevs
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, Columbia, MO 65211, United States.
| | - John L Harwood
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK.
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Fulbright SP, Robbins-Pianka A, Berg-Lyons D, Knight R, Reardon KF, Chisholm ST. Bacterial community changes in an industrial algae production system. ALGAL RES 2018; 31:147-156. [PMID: 29785358 DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2017.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
While microalgae are a promising feedstock for production of fuels and other chemicals, a challenge for the algal bioproducts industry is obtaining consistent, robust algae growth. Algal cultures include complex bacterial communities and can be difficult to manage because specific bacteria can promote or reduce algae growth. To overcome bacterial contamination, algae growers may use closed photobioreactors designed to reduce the number of contaminant organisms. Even with closed systems, bacteria are known to enter and cohabitate, but little is known about these communities. Therefore, the richness, structure, and composition of bacterial communities were characterized in closed photobioreactor cultivations of Nannochloropsis salina in F/2 medium at different scales, across nine months spanning late summer-early spring, and during a sequence of serially inoculated cultivations. Using 16S rRNA sequence data from 275 samples, bacterial communities in small, medium, and large cultures were shown to be significantly different. Larger systems contained richer bacterial communities compared to smaller systems. Relationships between bacterial communities and algae growth were complex. On one hand, blooms of a specific bacterial type were observed in three abnormal, poorly performing replicate cultivations, while on the other, notable changes in the bacterial community structures were observed in a series of serial large-scale batch cultivations that had similar growth rates. Bacteria common to the majority of samples were identified, including a single OTU within the class Saprospirae that was found in all samples. This study contributes important information for crop protection in algae systems, and demonstrates the complex ecosystems that need to be understood for consistent, successful industrial algae cultivation. This is the first study to profile bacterial communities during the scale-up process of industrial algae systems.
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Mar CC, Fan Y, Li FL, Hu GR. Bioremediation of wastewater from edible oil refinery factory using oleaginous microalga Desmodesmus sp. S1. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION 2016; 18:1195-201. [PMID: 27260474 DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2016.1193466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Edible oil industry produced massive wastewater, which requires extensive treatment to remove pungent smell, high phosphate, carbon oxygen demand (COD), and metal ions prior to discharge. Traditional anaerobic and aerobic digestion could mainly reduce COD of the wastewater from oil refinery factories (WEORF). In this study, a robust oleaginous microalga Desmodesmus sp. S1 was adapted to grow in WEORF. The biomass and lipid content of Desmodesmus sp. S1 cultivated in the WEORF supplemented with sodium nitrate were 5.62 g·L(-1) and 14.49%, whereas those in the WEORF without adding nitrate were 2.98 g·L(-1) and 21.95%. More than 82% of the COD and 53% of total phosphorous were removed by Desmodesmus sp. S1. In addition, metal ions, including ferric, aluminum, manganese and zinc were also diminished significantly in the WEORF after microalgal growth, and pungent smell vanished as well. In comparison with the cells grown in BG-11 medium, the cilia-like bulges and wrinkles on the cell surface of Desmodesmus sp. S1 grown in WEORF became out of order, and more polyunsaturated fatty acids were detected due to stress derived from the wastewater. The study suggests that growing microalgae in WEORF can be applied for the dual roles of nutrient removal and biofuel feedstock production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cho Cho Mar
- a Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Engineering Laboratory of Single Cell Oil, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Qingdao , China
- b Chemical Technology Research Center, Department of Research and Innovation, Ministry of Science and Technology , Yangon , Republic of the Union of Myanmar
| | - Yong Fan
- a Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Engineering Laboratory of Single Cell Oil, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Qingdao , China
| | - Fu-Li Li
- a Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Engineering Laboratory of Single Cell Oil, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Qingdao , China
| | - Guang-Rong Hu
- a Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Engineering Laboratory of Single Cell Oil, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Qingdao , China
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Daelman MRJ, Sorokin D, Kruse O, van Loosdrecht MCM, Strous M. Haloalkaline Bioconversions for Methane Production from Microalgae Grown on Sunlight. Trends Biotechnol 2016; 34:450-457. [PMID: 26968613 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2016.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Microalgal biomass can be converted to biofuels to replace nonsustainable fossil fuels, but the widespread use of microalgal biofuels remains hampered by the high energetic and monetary costs related to carbon dioxide supply and downstream processing. Growing microalgae in mixed culture biofilms reduces energy demands for mixing, maintaining axenic conditions, and biomass concentration. Furthermore, maintaining a high pH improves carbon dioxide absorption rates and inorganic carbon solubility, thus overcoming the carbon limitation and increasing the volumetric productivity of the microalgal biomass. Digesting the microalgal biomass anaerobically at high pH results in biogas that is enriched in methane, while the dissolved carbon dioxide is recycled to the phototrophic reactor. All of the required haloalkaline conversions are known in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimitry Sorokin
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University, Delft, The Netherlands; Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olaf Kruse
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstraße 27, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Marc Strous
- Department of Geoscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
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Lee DJ, Chang JS, Lai JY. Microalgae-microbial fuel cell: A mini review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2015; 198:891-5. [PMID: 26431899 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.09.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2015] [Revised: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/13/2015] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae-microbial fuel cells (mMFCs) are a device that can convert solar energy to electrical energy via biological pathways. This mini-review lists new research and development works on microalgae processes, microbial fuel cell (MFC) processes, and their combined version, mMFC. The substantial improvement and technological advancement are highlighted, with a discussion on the challenges and prospects for possible commercialization of mMFC technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duu-Jong Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
| | - Jo-Shu Chang
- Research Center for Energy Technology and Strategy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Juin-Yih Lai
- R&D Center for Membrane Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chungli, Taiwan
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11
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Energy-Saving Lipid Extraction from Wet Euglena gracilis by the Low-Boiling-Point Solvent Dimethyl Ether. ENERGIES 2015. [DOI: 10.3390/en8010610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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12
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Wang H, Hill RT, Zheng T, Hu X, Wang B. Effects of bacterial communities on biofuel-producing microalgae: stimulation, inhibition and harvesting. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2014; 36:341-52. [PMID: 25264573 DOI: 10.3109/07388551.2014.961402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Despite the great interest in microalgae as a potential source of biofuel to substitute for fossil fuels, little information is available on the effects of bacterial symbionts in mass algal cultivation systems. The bacterial communities associated with microalgae are a crucial factor in the process of microalgal biomass and lipid production and may stimulate or inhibit growth of biofuel-producing microalgae. In addition, we discuss here the potential use of bacteria to harvest biofuel-producing microalgae. We propose that aggregation of microalgae by bacteria to achieve >90% reductions in volume followed by centrifugation could be an economic approach for harvesting of biofuel-producing microalgae. Our aims in this review are to promote understanding of the effects of bacterial communities on microalgae and draw attention to the importance of this topic in the microalgal biofuel field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- a Key Laboratory of Coastal Biology and Bioresource Utilization , Yantai Institute of Costal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Yantai , China .,b Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science , Baltimore , MD , USA and.,c State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Sciences and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coast and Wetland Ecosystem , School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University , Xiamen , China
| | - Russell T Hill
- b Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science , Baltimore , MD , USA and
| | - Tianling Zheng
- c State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Sciences and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coast and Wetland Ecosystem , School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University , Xiamen , China
| | - Xiaoke Hu
- a Key Laboratory of Coastal Biology and Bioresource Utilization , Yantai Institute of Costal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Yantai , China
| | - Bin Wang
- a Key Laboratory of Coastal Biology and Bioresource Utilization , Yantai Institute of Costal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Yantai , China
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Abstract
In the current literature, the life cycle, technoeconomic, and resource assessments of microalgae-based biofuel production systems have relied on growth models extrapolated from laboratory-scale data, leading to a large uncertainty in results. This type of simplistic growth modeling overestimates productivity potential and fails to incorporate biological effects, geographical location, or cultivation architecture. This study uses a large-scale, validated, outdoor photobioreactor microalgae growth model based on 21 reactor- and species-specific inputs to model the growth of Nannochloropsis. This model accurately accounts for biological effects such as nutrient uptake, respiration, and temperature and uses hourly historical meteorological data to determine the current global productivity potential. Global maps of the current near-term microalgae lipid and biomass productivity were generated based on the results of annual simulations at 4,388 global locations. Maximum annual average lipid yields between 24 and 27 m(3)·ha(-1)·y(-1), corresponding to biomass yields of 13 to 15 g·m(-2)·d(-1), are possible in Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia. The microalgae lipid productivity results of this study were integrated with geography-specific fuel consumption and land availability data to perform a scalability assessment. Results highlight the promising potential of microalgae-based biofuels compared with traditional terrestrial feedstocks. When water, nutrients, and CO2 are not limiting, many regions can potentially meet significant fractions of their transportation fuel requirements through microalgae production, without land resource restriction. Discussion focuses on sensitivity of monthly variability in lipid production compared with annual average yields, effects of temperature on productivity, and a comparison of results with previous published modeling assumptions.
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Ríos SD, Torres CM, Torras C, Salvadó J, Mateo-Sanz JM, Jiménez L. Microalgae-based biodiesel: economic analysis of downstream process realistic scenarios. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2013; 136:617-625. [PMID: 23567739 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.03.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2013] [Revised: 03/07/2013] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae oil has been identified as a reliable resource for biodiesel production due to its high lipid productivity and potential cultivation in non-fertile locations. However, high scale production of microalgae based biodiesel depends on the optimization of the entire process to be economically feasible. The selected strain, medium, harvesting methods, etc., sorely affects the ash content in the dry biomass which have a direct effect in the lipid content. Moreover, the suitable lipids for biodiesel production, some of the neutral/saponifiable, are only a fraction of the total ones (around 30% dry base biomass in the best case). The present work uses computational tools for the modeling of different scenarios of the harvesting, oil extraction and transesterification. This rigorous modeling approach detects process bottlenecks that could have led to an overestimation of the potentiality of the microalgae lipids as a resource for the biodiesel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio D Ríos
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, Tarragona 43007, Spain.
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Show KY, Lee DJ, Chang JS. Algal biomass dehydration. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2013; 135:720-9. [PMID: 22939595 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Revised: 08/03/2012] [Accepted: 08/06/2012] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Biofuels are viewed as promising alternatives to conventional fossil fuels because they have the potential to eliminate major environmental problems created by fossil fuels. Among the still developing biofuel technologies, biodiesel production from algae offers a greater prospect for large-scale practical use, as algae are capable of producing much more yield than other biofuels. While research on algae-based biofuel is still in its developing stage, extensive work on laboratory- and pilot-scale algae harvesting systems with promising prospects has been reported. This paper presented a discussion of the literature review on recent advances in algae separation, harvesting and drying for biofuel production. The review and discussion focus on destabilization of algae, algae harvesting technologies and algae drying processes. Challenges and prospects of algae harvesting are also outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Yeow Show
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Green Technology, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan University, Bandar Barat, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia
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Lee SJ, Lee SJ, Lee DW. Design and development of synthetic microbial platform cells for bioenergy. Front Microbiol 2013; 4:92. [PMID: 23626588 PMCID: PMC3630320 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 04/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The finite reservation of fossil fuels accelerates the necessity of development of renewable energy sources. Recent advances in synthetic biology encompassing systems biology and metabolic engineering enable us to engineer and/or create tailor made microorganisms to produce alternative biofuels for the future bio-era. For the efficient transformation of biomass to bioenergy, microbial cells need to be designed and engineered to maximize the performance of cellular metabolisms for the production of biofuels during energy flow. Toward this end, two different conceptual approaches have been applied for the development of platform cell factories: forward minimization and reverse engineering. From the context of naturally minimized genomes,non-essential energy-consuming pathways and/or related gene clusters could be progressively deleted to optimize cellular energy status for bioenergy production. Alternatively, incorporation of non-indigenous parts and/or modules including biomass-degrading enzymes, carbon uptake transporters, photosynthesis, CO2 fixation, and etc. into chassis microorganisms allows the platform cells to gain novel metabolic functions for bioenergy. This review focuses on the current progress in synthetic biology-aided pathway engineering in microbial cells and discusses its impact on the production of sustainable bioenergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Jun Lee
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Daejeon, South Korea
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Association with an ammonium-excreting bacterium allows diazotrophic culture of oil-rich eukaryotic microalgae. Appl Environ Microbiol 2012; 78:2345-52. [PMID: 22267660 DOI: 10.1128/aem.06260-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Concerns regarding the depletion of the world's reserves of oil and global climate change have promoted an intensification of research and development toward the production of biofuels and other alternative sources of energy during the last years. There is currently much interest in developing the technology for third-generation biofuels from microalgal biomass mainly because of its potential for high yields and reduced land use changes in comparison with biofuels derived from plant feedstocks. Regardless of the nature of the feedstock, the use of fertilizers, especially nitrogen, entails a potential economic and environmental drawback for the sustainability of biofuel production. In this work, we have studied the possibility of nitrogen biofertilization by diazotrophic bacteria applied to cultured microalgae as a promising feedstock for next-generation biofuels. We have obtained an Azotobacter vinelandii mutant strain that accumulates several times more ammonium in culture medium than wild-type cells. The ammonium excreted by the mutant cells is bioavailable to promote the growth of nondiazotrophic microalgae. Moreover, this synthetic symbiosis was able to produce an oil-rich microalgal biomass using both carbon and nitrogen from the air. This work provides a proof of concept that artificial symbiosis may be considered an alternative strategy for the low-N-intensive cultivation of microalgae for the sustainable production of next-generation biofuels and other bioproducts.
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Haas MJ, Wagner K. Simplifying biodiesel production: The direct or in situ transesterification of algal biomass. EUR J LIPID SCI TECH 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/ejlt.201100106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Zheng H, Yin J, Gao Z, Huang H, Ji X, Dou C. Disruption of Chlorella vulgaris cells for the release of biodiesel-producing lipids: a comparison of grinding, ultrasonication, bead milling, enzymatic lysis, and microwaves. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2011; 164:1215-24. [PMID: 21347653 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-011-9207-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2010] [Accepted: 02/15/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
A comparative evaluation of different cell disruption methods for the release of lipids from marine Chlorella vulgaris cells was investigated. The cell growth of C. vulgaris was observed. Lipid concentrations from different disruption methods were determined, and the fatty acid composition of the extracted lipids was analyzed. The results showed that average productivity of C. vulgaris biomass was 208 mg L⁻¹ day⁻¹. The lipid concentrations of C. vulgaris were 5%, 6%, 29%, 15%, 10%, 7%, 22%, 24%, and 18% when using grinding with quartz sand under wet condition, grinding with quartz sand under dehydrated condition, grinding in liquid nitrogen, ultrasonication, bead milling, enzymatic lysis by snailase, enzymatic lysis by lysozyme, enzymatic lysis by cellulose, and microwaves, respectively. The shortest disruption time was 2 min by grinding in liquid nitrogen. The unsaturated and saturated fatty acid contents of C. vulgaris were 71.76% and 28.24%, respectively. The extracted lipids displayed a suitable fatty acid profile for biodiesel [C16:0 (~23%), C16:1 (~23%), and C18:1 (~45%)]. Overall, grinding in liquid nitrogen was identified as the most effective method in terms of disruption efficiency and time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing University of Technology, No. 5 Xinmofan Road, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
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Cheng YL, Juang YC, Liao GY, Tsai PW, Ho SH, Yeh KL, Chen CY, Chang JS, Liu JC, Chen WM, Lee DJ. Harvesting of Scenedesmus obliquus FSP-3 using dispersed ozone flotation. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2011; 102:82-87. [PMID: 20627550 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2010.04.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2010] [Revised: 04/19/2010] [Accepted: 04/24/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The Scenedesmus obliquus FSP-3, a species with excellent potential for CO(2) capture and lipid production, was harvested using dispersed ozone flotation. While air aeration does not, ozone produces effective solid-liquid separation through flotation. Ozone dose applied for sufficient algal flotation is similar to those used in practical drinking waterworks. The algae removal rate, surface charge, and hydrophobicity of algal cells, and fluorescence characteristics and proteins and polysaccharides contents of algogenic organic matter (AOM) were determined during ozonation. Proteins released from tightly bound AOM are essential to modifying the hydrophobicity of bubble surfaces for easy cell attachment and to forming a top froth layer for collecting floating cells. Humic substances in the suspension scavenge dosed ozone that adversely affects ozone flotation efficiency of algal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ling Cheng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
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22
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Pittman JK, Dean AP, Osundeko O. The potential of sustainable algal biofuel production using wastewater resources. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2011; 102:17-25. [PMID: 20594826 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2010.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 514] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2010] [Revised: 06/03/2010] [Accepted: 06/07/2010] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The potential of microalgae as a source of renewable energy has received considerable interest, but if microalgal biofuel production is to be economically viable and sustainable, further optimization of mass culture conditions are needed. Wastewaters derived from municipal, agricultural and industrial activities potentially provide cost-effective and sustainable means of algal growth for biofuels. In addition, there is also potential for combining wastewater treatment by algae, such as nutrient removal, with biofuel production. Here we will review the current research on this topic and discuss the potential benefits and limitations of using wastewaters as resources for cost-effective microalgal biofuel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon K Pittman
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
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Cheng YL, Juang YC, Liao GY, Ho SH, Yeh KL, Chen CY, Chang JS, Liu JC, Lee DJ. Dispersed ozone flotation of Chlorella vulgaris. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2010; 101:9092-6. [PMID: 20675123 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2010.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2010] [Revised: 06/26/2010] [Accepted: 07/04/2010] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Flotation separation of Chlorella vulgaris, a species with excellent potential for CO(2) capture and lipid production, was studied using dispersed ozone gas. Pure oxygen aeration did not yield flotation. Conversely, applying ozone effectively separation algae from broth through flotation. The ozone dose applied for sufficient algal flotation is <0.05 mg/g biomass, much lower than those used in practical drinking waterworks (0.1-0.3 mg/g suspended solids). Main products, lipid C16:0, was effectively collected in the flotage phase. The algae removal rate, surface charge, and hydrophobicity of algal cells, and proteins and polysaccharides contents of algogenic organic matter (AOM) were determined. Certain quantities of proteins were present in the cultivated algal suspension, hence, minimal quantity of ozone was required to release intracellular proteins as surfactants to lead to effective flotation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ling Cheng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
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Batan L, Quinn J, Willson B, Bradley T. Net energy and greenhouse gas emission evaluation of biodiesel derived from microalgae. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2010; 44:7975-80. [PMID: 20866061 DOI: 10.1021/es102052y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Biofuels derived from microalgae have the potential to replace petroleum fuel and first-generation biofuel, but the efficacy with which sustainability goals can be achieved is dependent on the lifecycle impacts of the microalgae-to-biofuel process. This study proposes a detailed, industrial-scale engineering model for the species Nannochloropsis using a photobioreactor architecture. This process level model is integrated with a lifecycle energy and greenhouse gas emission analysis compatible with the methods and boundaries of the Argonne National Laboratory GREET model, thereby ensuring comparability to preexisting fuel-cycle assessments. Results are used to evaluate the net energy ratio (NER) and net greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) of microalgae biodiesel in comparison to petroleum diesel and soybean-based biodiesel with a boundary equivalent to "well-to-pump". The resulting NER of the microalgae biodiesel process is 0.93 MJ of energy consumed per MJ of energy produced. In terms of net GHGs, microalgae-based biofuels avoids 75 g of CO(2)-equivalent emissions per MJ of energy produced. The scalability of the consumables and products of the proposed microalgae-to-biofuels processes are assessed in the context of 150 billion liters (40 billion gallons) of annual production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liaw Batan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1374, USA
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25
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Abstract
Microalgae are considered one of the most promising feedstocks for biofuels. The productivity of these photosynthetic microorganisms in converting carbon dioxide into carbon-rich lipids, only a step or two away from biodiesel, greatly exceeds that of agricultural oleaginous crops, without competing for arable land. Worldwide, research and demonstration programs are being carried out to develop the technology needed to expand algal lipid production from a craft to a major industrial process. Although microalgae are not yet produced at large scale for bulk applications, recent advances-particularly in the methods of systems biology, genetic engineering, and biorefining-present opportunities to develop this process in a sustainable and economical way within the next 10 to 15 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- René H Wijffels
- Wageningen University, Bioprocess Engineering, Post Office Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, Netherlands.
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Morweiser M, Kruse O, Hankamer B, Posten C. Developments and perspectives of photobioreactors for biofuel production. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2010; 87:1291-301. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-010-2697-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2010] [Revised: 05/22/2010] [Accepted: 05/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Sivakumar G, Vail DR, Xu J, Burner DM, Lay JO, Ge X, Weathers PJ. Bioethanol and biodiesel: Alternative liquid fuels for future generations. Eng Life Sci 2010. [DOI: 10.1002/elsc.200900061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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Greenwell HC, Laurens LML, Shields RJ, Lovitt RW, Flynn KJ. Placing microalgae on the biofuels priority list: a review of the technological challenges. J R Soc Interface 2009; 7:703-26. [PMID: 20031983 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2009.0322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 325] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalgae provide various potential advantages for biofuel production when compared with 'traditional' crops. Specifically, large-scale microalgal culture need not compete for arable land, while in theory their productivity is greater. In consequence, there has been resurgence in interest and a proliferation of algae fuel projects. However, while on a theoretical basis, microalgae may produce between 10- and 100-fold more oil per acre, such capacities have not been validated on a commercial scale. We critically review current designs of algal culture facilities, including photobioreactors and open ponds, with regards to photosynthetic productivity and associated biomass and oil production and include an analysis of alternative approaches using models, balancing space needs, productivity and biomass concentrations, together with nutrient requirements. In the light of the current interest in synthetic genomics and genetic modifications, we also evaluate the options for potential metabolic engineering of the lipid biosynthesis pathways of microalgae. We conclude that although significant literature exists on microalgal growth and biochemistry, significantly more work needs to be undertaken to understand and potentially manipulate algal lipid metabolism. Furthermore, with regards to chemical upgrading of algal lipids and biomass, we describe alternative fuel synthesis routes, and discuss and evaluate the application of catalysts traditionally used for plant oils. Simulations that incorporate financial elements, along with fluid dynamics and algae growth models, are likely to be increasingly useful for predicting reactor design efficiency and life cycle analysis to determine the viability of the various options for large-scale culture. The greatest potential for cost reduction and increased yields most probably lies within closed or hybrid closed-open production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- H C Greenwell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, UK.
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Williams PRD, Inman D, Aden A, Heath GA. Environmental and sustainability factors associated with next-generation biofuels in the U.S.: what do we really know? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2009; 43:4763-75. [PMID: 19673263 DOI: 10.1021/es900250d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we assess what is known or anticipated about environmental and sustainability factors associated with next-generation biofuels relative to the primary conventional biofuels (i.e., corn grain-based ethanol and soybean-based diesel) in the United States during feedstock production and conversion processes. Factors considered include greenhouse (GHG) emissions, air pollutant emissions, soil health and quality, water use and water quality, wastewater and solid waste streams, and biodiversity and land-use changes. Based on our review of the available literature, we find that the production of next-generation feedstocks in the U.S. (e.g., municipal solid waste, forest residues, dedicated energy crops, microalgae) are expected to fare better than corn-grain or soybean production on most of these factors, although the magnitude of these differences may vary significantly among feedstocks. Ethanol produced using a biochemical or thermochemical conversion platform is expected to result in fewer GHG and air pollutant emissions, but to have similar or potentially greater water demands and solid waste streams than conventional ethanol biorefineries in the U.S. However, these conversion-related differences are likely to be small, particularly relative to those associated with feedstock production. Modeling performed for illustrative purposes and to allow for standardized quantitative comparisons across feedstocks and conversion technologies generally confirms the findings from the literature. Despite current expectations, significant uncertainty remains regarding how well next-generation biofuels will fare on different environmental and sustainability factors when produced on a commercial scale in the U.S. Additional research is needed in several broad areas including quantifying impacts, designing standardized metrics and approaches, and developing decision-support tools to identify and quantify environmental trade-offs and ensure sustainable biofuels production.
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