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Algal Biofuels: Current Status and Key Challenges

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  • Marwa G. Saad

    (Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Port-Said University, Port-Said 42521, Egypt
    Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
    M.G.S. and N.S.D. contributed equally to this work.)

  • Noura S. Dosoky

    (Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA
    M.G.S. and N.S.D. contributed equally to this work.)

  • Mohamed S. Zoromba

    (Chemical and Materials Engineering Department, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia
    Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Port-Said University, Port Said 42521, Egypt)

  • Hesham M. Shafik

    (Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Port-Said University, Port-Said 42521, Egypt)

Abstract

The current fossil fuel reserves are not sufficient to meet the increasing demand and very soon will become exhausted. Pollution, global warming, and inflated oil prices have led the quest for renewable energy sources. Algal biofuels represent a potential source of renewable energy. Algae, as the third generation feedstock, are suitable for biodiesel and bioethanol production due to their quick growth, excellent biomass yield, and high lipid and carbohydrate contents. With their huge potential, algae are expected to surpass the first and second generation feedstocks. Only a few thousand algal species have been investigated as possible biofuel sources, and none of them was ideal. This review summarizes the current status of algal biofuels, important steps of algal biofuel production, and the major commercial production challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Marwa G. Saad & Noura S. Dosoky & Mohamed S. Zoromba & Hesham M. Shafik, 2019. "Algal Biofuels: Current Status and Key Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:10:p:1920-:d:232708
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