An energy evaluation of coupling nutrient removal from wastewater with algal biomass production

Sturm, Belinda; Lamer, Stacey L.

doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.12.056

Cited by 260 publications

(144 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Lipid and carbohydrate rich algae are a superior feedstock compared to many biofuel crops, especially for biodiesel production (Lam and Lee 2012). Many algal studies and energy evaluations have provided varying results (Huntley and Redalje 2007, Bruton et al 2009, Batan et al 2010, Brennan and Owende 2010, Clarens et al 2010, Chisti and Yan 2011, Sturm and Lamer 2011, Lam and Lee 2012, Ramachandra et al 2013.…”

Section: Location and Tank Set-upmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low algal diversity systems are a promising method for biodiesel production in wastewater fed open reactors

Bhattacharjee¹,

Siemann²

2015

ALGAE

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Planktivorous fish which limit zooplankton grazing have been predicted to increase algal biodiesel production in wastewater fed open reactors. In addition, tanks with higher algal diversity have been predicted to be more stable, more productive, and to more fully remove nutrients from wastewater. To test these predictions, we conducted a 14-week experiment in Houston, TX using twelve 2,270-L open tanks continuously supplied with wastewater. Tanks received algal composition (monocultures or diverse assemblage) and trophic (fish or no fish) treatments in a full-factorial design. Monocultures produced more algal and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) mass than diverse tanks. More than 80% of lipids were converted to FAME indicating potentially high production for conversion to biodiesel (up to 0.9 T ha -1 y -1). Prolific algal growth lowered temperature and levels of total dissolved solids in the tanks and increased pH and dissolved oxygen compared to supply water. Algae in the tanks removed 91% of nitrate-N and 53% of phosphorus from wastewater. Monocultures were not invaded by other algal species. Fish did not affect any variables. Our results indicated that algae can be grown in open tank bioreactors using wastewater as a nutrient source. The stable productivity of monocultures suggests that this may be a viable production method to procure algal biomass for biodiesel production.

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Section: Location and Tank Set-upmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low algal diversity systems are a promising method for biodiesel production in wastewater fed open reactors

Bhattacharjee¹,

Siemann²

2015

ALGAE

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“…Therefore, in order for algal biodiesel production to be feasible, the amount of energy required to produce the algae and process it into useable fuel must be less than this amount [42]. Table 3 summarizes the energy inputs and the net energy benefit ratios reported by other researchers [40,41,43,44]. Cultivation and algal biomass production alone consumes around 15% of the total energy and major energy consumption (60%) by harvesting and drying steps to prepare dry biomass suitable for transesterification reaction.…”

Section: Algae As a Case Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodiesel production from low cost and renewable feedstock

et al. 2013

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Sustainable biodiesel production should: a) utilize low cost renewable feedstock; b) utilize energy-efficient, nonconventional heating and mixing techniques; c) increase net energy benefit of the process; and d) utilize renewable feedstock/energy sources where possible. In this paper, we discuss the merits of biodiesel production following these criteria supported by the experimental results obtained from the process optimization studies. Waste cooking oil, non-edible (low-cost) oils (Jatropha curcas and Camelina Sativa) and algae were used as feedstock for biodiesel process optimization. A comparison between conventional and non-conventional methods such as microwaves and ultrasound was reported. Finally, net energy scenarios for different biodiesel feedstock options and algae are presented.

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“…Implementing growth and processing technology advancements, in conjunction with co-locating facilities with discounted energy and materials (i.e., electricity plants, waste water treatment plants, livestock feed lots, etc.) offers the potential for profitable algal biofuel production, and this concept has been proposed by several researchers [11,15,25,26,28,44]. However, relying on waste materials as feedstock relegates algal biofuel production to relatively low volumes [11,28,71].…”

Section: Innovation Pathwaysmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ability to utilize discounted inputs, such as waste forms of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus and cheap energy inputs, would further improve the return on investment for producing algal biofuels with respect to the Highly Productive Case [11,14,[25][26][27][28]. The Highly Productive Case is not intended to represent the optimum scenario for algal biofuels nor is it presented as the final arbiter of the fuel's prospects for success; rather, it is intended to serve as a useful benchmark.…”

Section: Highly Productive Casementioning

confidence: 99%

“…(1) using waste and recycled nutrients (e.g., waste water and animal waste) [11,15,[25][26][27][28]65,71,72]; (2) using waste heat and flue-gas from industrial plants [44,59], carbon in wastewater [28], or developing energy-efficient means of using atmospheric CO 2 ; (3) developing ultra-productive algal strains (e.g., genetically modified organisms) [73][74][75]; (4) minimizing pumping [58,76,77]; (5) establishing energy-efficient water treatment and recycling methods [55]; (6) employing energy-efficient harvesting methods, such as chemical flocculation [66,78,79], and (7) avoiding separation via distillation.…”

Section: Innovation Pathwaysmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comprehensive Evaluation of Algal Biofuel Production: Experimental and Target Results

et al. 2012

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Worldwide, algal biofuel research and development efforts have focused on increasing the competitiveness of algal biofuels by increasing the energy and financial return on investments, reducing water intensity and resource requirements, and increasing algal productivity. In this study, analyses are presented in each of these areas-costs, resource needs, and productivity-for two cases: (1) an Experimental Case, using mostly measured data for a lab-scale system, and (2) a theorized Highly Productive Case that represents an optimized commercial-scale production system, albeit one that relies on full-price water, nutrients, and carbon dioxide. For both cases, the analysis described herein concludes that the energy and financial return on investments are less than 1, the water intensity is greater than that for conventional fuels, and the amounts of required resources OPEN ACCESSEnergies 2012, 5 1944 at a meaningful scale of production amount to significant fractions of current consumption (e.g., nitrogen). The analysis and presentation of results highlight critical areas for advancement and innovation that must occur for sustainable and profitable algal biofuel production can occur at a scale that yields significant petroleum displacement. To this end, targets for energy consumption, production cost, water consumption, and nutrient consumption are presented that would promote sustainable algal biofuel production. Furthermore, this work demonstrates a procedure and method by which subsequent advances in technology and biotechnology can be framed to track progress.

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An energy evaluation of coupling nutrient removal from wastewater with algal biomass production

Cited by 260 publications

References 21 publications

Low algal diversity systems are a promising method for biodiesel production in wastewater fed open reactors

Low algal diversity systems are a promising method for biodiesel production in wastewater fed open reactors

Biodiesel production from low cost and renewable feedstock

Comprehensive Evaluation of Algal Biofuel Production: Experimental and Target Results

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