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Integrated Approach for Wastewater Treatment and Biofuel Production in Microalgae Biorefineries

Author

Listed:
  • Sanjeet Mehariya

    (Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Rahul Kumar Goswami

    (Bioprocess and Bioenergy Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Central University of Rajasthan, Rajasthan 305817, India)

  • Pradeep Verma

    (Bioprocess and Bioenergy Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Central University of Rajasthan, Rajasthan 305817, India)

  • Roberto Lavecchia

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials and Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy)

  • Antonio Zuorro

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials and Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

The increasing world population generates huge amounts of wastewater as well as large energy demand. Additionally, fossil fuel’s combustion for energy production causes the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) and other pollutants. Therefore, there is a strong need to find alternative green approaches for wastewater treatment and energy production. Microalgae biorefineries could represent an effective strategy to mitigate the above problems. Microalgae biorefineries are a sustainable alternative to conventional wastewater treatment processes, as they potentially allow wastewater to be treated at lower costs and with lower energy consumption. Furthermore, they provide an effective means to recover valuable compounds for biofuel production or other applications. This review focuses on the current scenario and future prospects of microalgae biorefineries aimed at combining wastewater treatment with biofuel production. First, the different microalgal cultivation systems are examined, and their main characteristics and limitations are discussed. Then, the technologies available for converting the biomass produced during wastewater treatment into biofuel are critically analyzed. Finally, current challenges and research directions for biofuel production and wastewater treatment through this approach are outlined.

Suggested Citation

  • Sanjeet Mehariya & Rahul Kumar Goswami & Pradeep Verma & Roberto Lavecchia & Antonio Zuorro, 2021. "Integrated Approach for Wastewater Treatment and Biofuel Production in Microalgae Biorefineries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-26, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:8:p:2282-:d:538761
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    Cited by:

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    2. Richard Ochieng & Alemayehu Gebremedhin & Shiplu Sarker, 2022. "Integration of Waste to Bioenergy Conversion Systems: A Critical Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-22, April.
    3. Ana F. Esteves & Eva M. Salgado & José C. M. Pires, 2022. "Recent Advances in Microalgal Biorefineries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-4, August.
    4. Rahul Prasad Singh & Priya Yadav & Indrajeet Kumar & Manoj Kumar Solanki & Rajib Roychowdhury & Ajay Kumar & Rajan Kumar Gupta, 2023. "Advancement of Abiotic Stresses for Microalgal Lipid Production and Its Bioprospecting into Sustainable Biofuels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-36, September.
    5. Marcin Zieliński & Marcin Dębowski & Joanna Kazimierowicz & Izabela Świca, 2023. "Microalgal Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Capture and Utilization from the European Union Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-27, February.
    6. Kai Ling Yu & Hwai Chyuan Ong & Halimah Badioze Zaman, 2022. "Microalgae Biomass as Biofuel and the Green Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-6, October.

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