The Significance of Forests and Algae in CO2 Balance: A Hungarian Case Study

Bai, Attila; Popp, József; Pető, Károly; Szőke, Irén; Harangi–Rákos, Mónika; Gabnai, Zoltán

doi:10.3390/su9050857

Cited by 22 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…In contrast to industrial crops, such as palm or canola plants, biomass generation from microalgae has high space and time yields. Globally, around 280 tons/ha of algae dry biomass and 3.9 tons/ha of forest biomass are produced every year [26]. Additionally, microalgae display high CO 2 fixation ability (513 tons of sequestered CO 2 per hectare per year).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial lipid production by oleaginous yeasts grown on Scenedesmus obtusiusculus microalgae biomass hydrolysate

Younes

Bracharz

Awad

et al. 2020

Bioprocess Biosyst Eng

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Due to increasing oil prices and climate change concerns, biofuels have become increasingly important as potential alternative energy sources. However, the use of arable lands and valuable resources for the production of biofuel feedstock compromises food security and negatively affect the environment. Single cell oils (SCOs), accumulated by oleaginous yeasts, show great promise for efficient production of biofuels. However, the high production costs attributed to feedstocks or raw materials present a major limiting factor. The fermentative conversion of abundant, low-value biomass into microbial oil would alleviate this limitation. Here, we explore the feasibility of utilizing microalgae-based cell residues as feedstock for yeast oil production. We developed an efficient, single-step enzymatic hydrolysis to generate Scenedesmus obtusiusculus hydrolysate (SH) without thermo-chemical pretreatment. With this eco-friendly process, glucose conversion efficiencies reached 90-100%. Cutaneotrichosporon oleaginosus, Cryptococcus curvatus and Rhodosporidium toruloides were cultivated on SH as sole nutrients source. Only C. oleaginosus was able to accumulate intracellular lipids, with a 35% (g lipid/g DCW) content and a yield of 3.6 g/L. Our results demonstrate the potential valorization of algal biomass into desired end-products such as biofuels. Samer Younes and Felix Bracharz contributed equally to the work.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial lipid production by oleaginous yeasts grown on Scenedesmus obtusiusculus microalgae biomass hydrolysate

Younes

Bracharz

Awad

et al. 2020

Bioprocess Biosyst Eng

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“…However, the depletion of non-renewable resources concerns not only traditional ways of obtaining energy, but also alternative ones. As a consequence, we are constantly striving to minimize negative environmental impacts, e.g., by reducing CO 2 emissions [52]. Bearing in mind the future prospects of sustainable development, directions for the environmental assessment of wind farms, small hydropower plants and solar farms have become attractive.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eco-Energetical Life Cycle Assessment of Materials and Components of Photovoltaic Power Plant

et al. 2020

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During the conversion of solar radiation into electricity, photovoltaic installations do not emit harmful compounds into the environment. However, the stage of production and post-use management of their elements requires large amounts of energy and materials. Therefore, this publication was intended to conduct an eco-energy life cycle analysis of photovoltaic power plant materials and components based on the LCA method. The subject of the study was a 1 MW photovoltaic power plant, located in Poland. Eco-indicator 99, CED and IPCC were used as calculation procedures. Among the analyzed elements of the power plant, the highest level of negative impact on the environment was characterized by the life cycle of photovoltaic panels stored at the landfill after exploitation (the highest demand for energy, materials and CO2 emissions). Among the materials of the power plant distinguished by the highest harmful effect on health and the quality of the environment stands out: silver, nickel, copper, PA6, lead and cadmium. The use of recycling processes would reduce the negative impact on the environment in the context of the entire life cycle, for most materials and elements. Based on the results obtained, guidelines were proposed for the pro-environmental post-use management of materials and elements of photovoltaic power plants.

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“…With the rise in oil prices and mitigation of ever-increasing climate change, the production and use of solid biofuels are increasingly focused on the granulated biofuels that are becoming popular in European countries [20,21]. Various types of processed plant biomasses can be used as biofuels for sufficient effective combustion and heat production: firewood, wood chips, straw bales, and briquettes [22][23][24][25][26][27]. However, pellet and pressed residue burning are the most efficient ways to utilize various sorts of biomass for the production of energy and heat [28].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Evaluation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Reed Plant Pelletizing and Utilization as Solid Biofuel

et al. 2020

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This paper presents the results of research on the preparation and use for energy purposes of three reed herbaceous energy plants: reed (Phragmites australis) and bulrush (Typha); both grown in local vicinities on lakes and riverbanks and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.). The physical-mechanical characteristics (density, moisture, and ash content) of chopped and milled reeds were investigated. The investigation of mill fractional compositions determined the largest amount of mill—reed mill, collected on the sieves of 0.63 mm (40.0%). The pellet moisture ranged from 10.79% to 6.32%, while the density was 1178.9 kg m−3 for dry matter (DM) of reed. The ash content of reed, bulrush and reed canary grass pellets was 3.17%, 5.88%, and 7.99%, respectively. The ash melting temperature ranged from 865 to 1411 °C; these temperatures were high enough for ash melting. The determined pellet calorific value varied from 17.4 to 17.9 MJ kg−1 DM. The disintegration force, indicating pellet strength, ranged from 324.25 N for reed canary grass to 549.24 N for reed. The determined emissions of harmful pollutants—CO2, CO, NOx, and unburnt hydrocarbons (CxHy)—did not exceed the maximum permissible levels. The assessment of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from technology showed that the CO2 equivalents ranged from 7.3 to 10.1 kg CO2-eq. GJ−1 for reed and reed canary grass, respectively.

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The Significance of Forests and Algae in CO2 Balance: A Hungarian Case Study

Cited by 22 publications

References 72 publications

Microbial lipid production by oleaginous yeasts grown on Scenedesmus obtusiusculus microalgae biomass hydrolysate

Microbial lipid production by oleaginous yeasts grown on Scenedesmus obtusiusculus microalgae biomass hydrolysate

Eco-Energetical Life Cycle Assessment of Materials and Components of Photovoltaic Power Plant

Energy Evaluation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Reed Plant Pelletizing and Utilization as Solid Biofuel

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