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A Brief Review of Anaerobic Digestion of Algae for Bioenergy

Author

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  • John J. Milledge

    (Faculty of Engineering and Science, Algae Biotechnology Research Group, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK)

  • Birthe V. Nielsen

    (Faculty of Engineering and Science, Algae Biotechnology Research Group, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK)

  • Supattra Maneein

    (Faculty of Engineering and Science, Algae Biotechnology Research Group, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK)

  • Patricia J. Harvey

    (Faculty of Engineering and Science, Algae Biotechnology Research Group, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK)

Abstract

The potential of algal biomass as a source of liquid and gaseous biofuels has been the subject of considerable research over the past few decades, with researchers strongly agreeing that algae have the potential of becoming a viable aquatic energy crop with a higher energy potential compared to that from either terrestrial biomass or municipal solid waste. However, neither microalgae nor seaweed are currently cultivated solely for energy purposes due to the high costs of harvesting, concentrating and drying. Anaerobic digestion of algal biomass could theoretically reduce costs associated with drying wet biomass before processing, but practical yields of biogas from digestion of many algae are substantially below the theoretical maximum. New processing methods are needed to reduce costs and increase the net energy balance. This review examines the biochemical and structural properties of seaweeds and of microalgal biomass that has been produced as part of the treatment of wastewater, and discusses some of the significant hurdles and recent initiatives for producing biogas from their anaerobic digestion.

Suggested Citation

  • John J. Milledge & Birthe V. Nielsen & Supattra Maneein & Patricia J. Harvey, 2019. "A Brief Review of Anaerobic Digestion of Algae for Bioenergy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:6:p:1166-:d:217152
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    5. Deng, Chen & Lin, Richen & Kang, Xihui & Wu, Benteng & O’Shea, Richard & Murphy, Jerry D., 2020. "Improving gaseous biofuel yield from seaweed through a cascading circular bioenergy system integrating anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    6. TsingHai Wang & Cheng-Di Dong & Jui-Yen Lin & Chiu-Wen Chen & Jo-Shu Chang & Hyunook Kim & Chin-Pao Huang & Chang-Mao Hung, 2021. "Recent Advances in Carbon Dioxide Conversion: A Circular Bioeconomy Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-31, June.
    7. Maria I. Silva & Ana L. Gonçalves & Vítor J. P. Vilar & José C. M. Pires, 2021. "Experimental and Techno-Economic Study on the Use of Microalgae for Paper Industry Effluents Remediation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-29, January.
    8. Xinru Zhang & Hao Yuan & Libo Guan & Xinyu Wang & Yi Wang & Zeyi Jiang & Limei Cao & Xinxin Zhang, 2019. "Influence of Photoperiods on Microalgae Biofilm: Photosynthetic Performance, Biomass Yield, and Cellular Composition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-10, September.
    9. Shabarish Shankaran & Tamilarasan Karuppiah & Rajesh Banu Jeyakumar, 2022. "Chemo-Sonic Pretreatment Approach on Marine Macroalgae for Energy Efficient Biohydrogen Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-17, October.
    10. John James Milledge & Supattra Maneein & Elena Arribas López & Debbie Bartlett, 2020. "Sargassum Inundations in Turks and Caicos: Methane Potential and Proximate, Ultimate, Lipid, Amino Acid, Metal and Metalloid Analyses," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-27, March.
    11. Enrique Salgado-Hernández & Ángel Isauro Ortiz-Ceballos & Sergio Martínez-Hernández & Erik Samuel Rosas-Mendoza & Ana Elena Dorantes-Acosta & Andrea Alvarado-Vallejo & Alejandro Alvarado-Lassman, 2022. "Methane Production of Sargassum spp. Biomass from the Mexican Caribbean: Solid–Liquid Separation and Component Distribution," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-13, December.
    12. Villa, Raffaella & Ortega Rodriguez, Lelia & Fenech, Cecilia & Anika, Ogemdi Chinwendu, 2020. "Ensiling for anaerobic digestion: A review of key considerations to maximise methane yields," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    13. Gareth Griffiths & Abul Kalam Hossain & Vikas Sharma & Ganesh Duraisamy, 2021. "Key Targets for Improving Algal Biofuel Production," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 3(4), pages 1-32, October.

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