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Life-cycle assessment of biofuel production from microalgae via various bioenergy conversion systems

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  • Sun, Chi-He
  • Fu, Qian
  • Liao, Qiang
  • Xia, Ao
  • Huang, Yun
  • Zhu, Xun
  • Reungsang, Alissara
  • Chang, Hai-Xing

Abstract

Microalgae is an alternative feedstock for biofuel production and has been considered to be a potential biotechnology. However, the systems for industrial biofuel production from microalgae are still costly and unsuitable. In addition, the complex and changeable processes contained in different bioenergy conversion systems make it difficult to reasonably compare these systems. This study aim to obtain an optimal microalgae-based industrial system using life-cycle assessment, and to unify the uncertainties caused by the discrepancies of each process. Two types of bioenergy conversion systems were modelled and compared: (1) transesterification, hydrothermal liquefaction, and pyrolysis for renewable diesel production and (2) anaerobic digestion without/with hydrothermal pretreatment for biogas production. The life-cycle impacts of these systems were quantified in terms of net energy ratios (NERs) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The results show that anaerobic digestion system with hydrothermal pretreatment is more industrially feasible and eco-friendly at the industrial scale due to its low NER (0.71) and GHG emissions [−60.84 g CO2−eq (MJ biogas)−1].

Suggested Citation

  • Sun, Chi-He & Fu, Qian & Liao, Qiang & Xia, Ao & Huang, Yun & Zhu, Xun & Reungsang, Alissara & Chang, Hai-Xing, 2019. "Life-cycle assessment of biofuel production from microalgae via various bioenergy conversion systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 1033-1045.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:171:y:2019:i:c:p:1033-1045
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2019.01.074
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    10. Song, Wenlu & He, Yu & Huang, Rui & Li, Jianfeng & Yu, Yujie & Xia, Peng, 2023. "Life cycle assessment of deep-eutectic-solvent-assisted hydrothermal disintegration of microalgae for biodiesel and biogas co-production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 335(C).
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    12. Braud, L. & McDonnell, K. & Murphy, F., 2023. "Environmental life cycle assessment of algae systems: Critical review of modelling approaches," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    13. Sun, Chihe & Xia, Ao & Liao, Qiang & Fu, Qian & Huang, Yun & Zhu, Xun, 2019. "Life-cycle assessment of biohythane production via two-stage anaerobic fermentation from microalgae and food waste," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 395-410.
    14. Xiao, Chao & Fu, Qian & Liao, Qiang & Huang, Yun & Xia, Ao & Chen, Hao & Zhu, Xun, 2020. "Life cycle and economic assessments of biogas production from microalgae biomass with hydrothermal pretreatment via anaerobic digestion," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 70-78.
    15. Llamas, Mercedes & Magdalena, Jose Antonio & Tomás-Pejó, Elia & González-Fernández, Cristina, 2020. "Microalgae-based anaerobic fermentation as a promising technology for producing biogas and microbial oils," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
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