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Circular Economy Potential of Microalgal Refinery

In: Biofuels in Circular Economy

Author

Listed:
  • G. Saranya

    (Centre for Ecological Sciences [CES]
    Centre for Sustainable Technologies (Astra))

  • T. V. Ramachandra

    (Centre for Ecological Sciences [CES]
    Centre for Sustainable Technologies (Astra)
    Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning [CiSTUP], Indian Institute of Science)

Abstract

The concerns of escalating greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint and fast dwindling stock of fossil fuels have given impetus to the alternate sources of energy and production processes by adopting a circular economy, optimally utilizing all aspects of wastes. The microalgal refinery can use the complete waste stream, secondary recycled products, and co-products while producing biofuel. Unutilized biomass can be converted into electricity through combustion. Biofuel from microalgae is emerging as a viable liquid fuel to satiate the growing demands of the transportation sector. Microalgae are metabolically versatile microorganisms with the scope of viable feedstock in the biofuel, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Microalgal refineries have the potential to mitigate waste through efficient biomass processing for energy, polymers, food additives, nutraceuticals, bioactive compounds, co-products, etc. The objectives of this chapter are to (i) assess the economic viability of decentralized microalgal refineries along the Indian west coasts and (ii) audit algal refineries considering all possible pathways for microalgal biomass. The analyses considered costs associated with (i) cultivation, (ii) harvesting, (iii) processing and extraction of biofuel, and (iv) processing of residues towards minimizing waste and ensure circular economy with the extraction of value-added products. The techno-economic (TE) analysis results demonstrated an estimated yearly profit ranging between ₹ 35,296 INR/ha and 209,190 INR/ha, depending on the level of external inputs during algal cultivation. The production cost of biodiesel with crude glycerol and biogas as the value-added products varied between INR/kg and 59.52 INR/kg of biodiesel with an estimated payback period of 0.98–2.97 years. The last section of the chapter presents the scope for a diverse mix of products towards a circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • G. Saranya & T. V. Ramachandra, 2022. "Circular Economy Potential of Microalgal Refinery," Springer Books, in: Suhaib A. Bandh & Fayaz A. Malla (ed.), Biofuels in Circular Economy, pages 219-250, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-981-19-5837-3_13
    DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-5837-3_13
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