Influence of nitrogen species and biomass retention time on nutrient removal and biomass productivity in a microalgae-based bioreactor

Vo, Thi-Dieu-Hien; Pham, Mai-Duy-Thong; Dang, Bao‐Trong; Tran, Cong‐Sac; Le, Thanh-Son; Nguyen, Van-Truc; Nguyen, Thanh-Binh; Lin, Chitsan; Varjani, Sunita; Dao, Thanh‐Son; Vinh, Bui Trong; Huynh, Ky-Phuong-Ha; Bui, Xuan‐Thanh

doi:10.1016/j.eti.2022.102880

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 58 publications

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“…Consequently, the demand for RD demonstrated a 65% global growth in 2021 relative to 2019; however, commercial RD production is still constrained by the limited availability of waste and edible oil-based feedstocks . Microalgae are a lipid-rich source of biomass that exhibits rapid growth and the ability to be cultivated on marginal lands. − Moreover, microalgae offer the advantage of bio-assimilating nutrients and carbon from wastewater and industrial carbon streams, respectively. − This contributes to a complex biochemical composition that can be converted into a variety of bioproducts. Due to its potential for dramatically higher productivity compared to alternative oil-based feedstocks, microalgae are a promising bioresource to establish a sustainable renewable fuel supply chain at the scale required to decarbonize transportation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Life Cycle and Techno-Economic Assessment of Algal-Based Biofuels

Quiroz,

Greene,

Limb

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Techno-economic analyses (TEAs) and life cycle assessments (LCAs) of algal biofuels often focus on locations in suboptimal latitudes for algal cultivation, which can under-represent the sustainability potential of the technology. This study identifies the optimal global productivity potential, environmental impacts, and economic viability of algal biofuels by using validated biophysical and sustainability modeling. The biophysical model simulates growth rates of Scenedesmus obliquusbased on temperature, photoinhibition, and respiration effects at 6685 global locations. Region-specific labor costs, construction factors, and tax rates allow for spatially resolved TEA, while the LCA includes regional impacts of electricity, hydrogen, and nutrient markets across ten environmental categories. The analysis identifies optimal locations for algal biofuel production in terms of environmental impacts and economic viability which are shown to follow biomass yields. Modeling results highlight the global variability of productivity with maximum yields ranging between 24.8 and 27.5 g m–2 d–1 in equatorial regions. Environmental impact results show favorable locations tracked with low-carbon electricity grids, with the well-to-wheels global warming potential (GWP) ranging from 31 to 45 g CO2eq MJ–1 in South America and Central Africa. When including direct land use change impacts, the GWP ranged between 44 and 55 g CO2eq MJ–1 in these high-productivity regions. Low-carbon electricity also favors air quality and eutrophication impacts. The TEA shows that minimum algal fuel prices of $1.89–$2.15 per liter of gasoline-equivalent are possible in southeast Asia and Venezuela. This discussion focuses on the challenges and opportunities to reduce fuel prices and the environmental impacts of algal biofuels in various global regions.

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