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Co-production of biodiesel and hydrogen from microalgae biomass: Process technology and life cycle assessment

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  • Wu, Haiyu
  • Zhao, Bingtao
  • Su, Yaxin

Abstract

The integrated production of biodiesel and hydrogen from microalgae biomass provides a potential strategy for bio-energy systems. However, the comprehensive life-cycle environmental implications of cascade thermochemical conversion via supercritical media remain insufficiently understood. This work presented a life cycle assessment for three representative microalgae - Chlorella vulgaris, Spirulina, and Rhizoclonium sp.- within a co-production framework for biodiesel and hydrogen. The process consists of two sequential stages: biodiesel synthesis from microalgae lipids extracted using supercritical CO2, followed by hydrogen generation via supercritical water gasification of the microalgal residues. Based on this technological route, the impacts on net energy ratio (NER), global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), and human toxicity potential (HTP) were identified. Results showed that Chlorella vulgaris exhibits the lowest NER (0.486), followed by Spirulina (0.551) and Rhizoclonium sp. (0.678). Considering the higher energy consumption required for low-lipid microalgae, Chlorella vulgaris displays the least pronounced impacts on GWP, AP, and HTP, whereas Rhizoclonium sp. shows the largest impacts. Sensitivity analysis indicated that lipid recovery rate significantly influenced GWP, AP, and HTP, and microalgal residue concentration affected NER. The supercritical media-based co-production process displayed superior performance, with Chlorella vulgaris achieving NER up to 13.7 times lower than conventional processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Wu, Haiyu & Zhao, Bingtao & Su, Yaxin, 2026. "Co-production of biodiesel and hydrogen from microalgae biomass: Process technology and life cycle assessment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:273:y:2026:i:c:s0960148126009547
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2026.126128
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