Integrating algae building technology in the built environment: A cost and benefit perspective

Biloria, Nimish; Thakkar, Yashkumar

doi:10.1016/j.foar.2019.12.004

Cited by 38 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…In addition, microalgae are a potential feedstock for achieving sustainable development goals [3] because they can be used to generate bioenergy and biofuel while contributing to carbon capture and utilization [59,60]. Microalgae growth relies on different factors such as: (a) light exposure: indirect radiation is usually preferred (1000-10,000 lux) because direct radiation may hinder efficiency (e.g., a lower CO2 biofixation rate of microalgae due to photo-inhibition); (b) adequate temperature range (16-27 °C for most microalgae); (c) CO2 supply through CO2enriched air circulation; (d) stirring, to ensure that all microalgae cells are exposed to radiation and reduce sediments; and e) nutrient availability [61]. Although a significant amount of research on microalgae cultivation and biomass processing is required, at the current state of development, microalgae are used at the industrial scale to obtain certain products or to perform certain tasks, such as carbon capture from waste streams or wastewater treatment (Figure 1).…”

Section: Microalgae For Treating Indoor Airmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Biloria and Thakkar [61] analyzed the economic and environmental performance of two alternative renewable energy sources-microalgae building technology and photovoltaic (PV) panels-used to retrofit the front façade of a multistory building in Sydney. The microalgae closed PBR system comprised a set of 0.1 m diameter tubes, separated from each other by 0.05 m, and located 0.5 m from the façade.…”

Section: Thus Microalgae Systems Can Be Seen As Examples Of Green Vertical Systems (Gvss)mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Indoor Air Quality Improvement Using Nature-Based Solutions: Design Proposals to Greener Cities

Mata

Oliveira

Silva

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Low indoor air quality is an increasingly important problem due to the spread of urbanization. Because people spend most of their time inside, poor indoor air quality causes serious human health issues, resulting in significant economic losses. In this work, the current state of affairs is presented and analyzed, focusing on the current problems and the available solutions to improve the quality of indoor air, and the use of nature-based solutions. These involve the cultivation of microalgae in closed photobioreactors. In these systems, photosynthetic organisms can capture CO2 and other pollutants generated in indoor environments, which they use to grow and develop biomass. Several possible layouts for the implementation of microalgae-based indoor air cleaning systems are presented, taking into account the systems that are currently available at a commercial scale. A critical analysis of the microalgae indoor purification systems is presented, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages, and suggesting potential improvements and future lines of research and development in the area.

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Section: Microalgae For Treating Indoor Airmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Thus Microalgae Systems Can Be Seen As Examples Of Green Vertical Systems (Gvss)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor Air Quality Improvement Using Nature-Based Solutions: Design Proposals to Greener Cities

Mata

Oliveira

Silva

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…The global attention towards microalgae as a source of biofuel is mainly due to their ability to be converted into electricity and heat through the higher efficiency in the photosynthesis process [1]. This production process is activated by using sunlight and CO2 to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere transforming it into biomass and oxygen with the use of nutrients [2], [3].…”

Section: Algae As a Grown Materials In Architecturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since then, many countries have started to use recycled materials, cleaner resources energy, and sustainable process during manufacturing to ensure fulfilling the sustainable development goals for reaching sustainable cities. As a way to find new cleaner alternative and sustainable materials in construction, several studies integrated algae in architecture as a bioprinting material that can reduce carbon emissions and provide oxygen [1], [2]. For instance, with the importance of water management, many projects started to invest in providing more water to solve the shortage in some places.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wastewater Matter: From Algae to Bio-Algae Plastic 3d Printed Façade Element

El-Mahdy

Mohammed

2021

Materials and Contact Characterisation X

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In Egypt during the extreme heat in summer, numerous amounts of air conditioners -that provide a cooler environment -are producing a huge amount of outlet wastewater. The continuous flow of this water causing great damage to buildings' façades. Therefore, the paper presents an innovative product solution made from algae that aim to reuse this wastewater as a self-watering landscape façade element that acts as an irrigation system. The prototype is designed from concept to manufacturing to implementation based on 3D printing with a bio-algae filament. With the dual algae ability in producing O2 and absorbing CO2, the fabrication follows a spiral engrave path to collect and cool the water droplet and ensure a smooth flow to be suitable for plantation. A path strategy is used during the printing for minimal structure supports aimed at saving unnecessary material waste and fabrication time. Solar radiation and water simulation are tested to measure the effect of the algae and to ensure the water fluidity from the AC tube till reaching the soil. The solar radiation results record a solar reduction from 316.43 to 80.71 kWh/m 2 after adding the algae panel to a building façade with a decrease of 6°C in the water temperature. The design demonstrates highly significant materials and resource savings, where no supports are needed during printing. The finding addresses the manufacturing of a low-cost algae product using cleaner technology as additive manufacturing. Given the alarming increase in the new industrial materials, algae will allow designers to explore their benefits regarding their O2 production and CO2 absorption, which will influence the façades to be smarter and sustainable using large-scale of PBRphotobioreactors -applications as a nature-based alternative to large glass surfaces with the potentials of additive manufacturing. This can reduce plastic production using fossil fuels to be eco-friendly.

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“…Beside biodiversity and sustainability, algae are a valuable source of proteins, carbohydrates, phenols, vitamins, and minerals, depending on the species [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Algae can be divided into macroalgae, also known as seaweed, referring to macroscopic, multicellular and marine algae [brown (Phaeophyceae), red (Rhodophyceae), and green (Chlorophyceae)] [ 8 ], and microalgae referring to microscopic, freshwater, and marine unicellular species, including cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, as well as green, dark colored, and red algae [ 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food and Beverages Containing Algae and Derived Ingredients Launched in the Market from 2015 to 2019: A Front-of-Pack Labeling Perspective with a Special Focus on Spain

Boukid

Castellari

2021

Foods

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Algae are a source of functional ingredients, with a large spectrum of healthy and functional compounds. Therefore, this study aimed to provide an overview on commercialized food and beverages made from algae and derived ingredients, with emphasis on the Spanish market, relying on the front-of-pack labeling. For this reason, the Mintel Global New Products Database was searched for foods and beverages containing “algae” ingredients, launched during the period 2015–2019. A total of 13,090 items were found worldwide, including 5720 items in Europe, in which 436 items were in Spain. Regardless of the market (global, European, and Spanish), a similar number of products categories (n = 20), dominant categories (dairy and desserts and ice cream) and dominant algal ingredient (carrageenans) were found. Nutritional information retrieved from Spanish products underlined that algae-based snacks had significantly lower energy, fat, and salt content compared to algae-free counterparts. On the contrary, spirulina- enriched ready to drink beverages had significantly higher energy and salt than algae-free. As such, reading the nutritional labeling is crucial to selecting products that suit consumer needs or/and expectations. Furthermore, only 8% of products reported the algal species and the level of inclusion, so this study emphasizes the importance of labeling legislation to provide complete product information to consumers.

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Integrating algae building technology in the built environment: A cost and benefit perspective

Cited by 38 publications

References 13 publications

Indoor Air Quality Improvement Using Nature-Based Solutions: Design Proposals to Greener Cities

Indoor Air Quality Improvement Using Nature-Based Solutions: Design Proposals to Greener Cities

Wastewater Matter: From Algae to Bio-Algae Plastic 3d Printed Façade Element

Food and Beverages Containing Algae and Derived Ingredients Launched in the Market from 2015 to 2019: A Front-of-Pack Labeling Perspective with a Special Focus on Spain

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