Can algae-based technologies be an affordable green process for biofuel production and wastewater remediation?

P Vo Hoang Nhat; H H Ngo; W S Guo; S W Chang; D D Nguyen; P D Nguyen; X T Bui; X B Zhang; J B Guo

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2018.02.031

Can algae-based technologies be an affordable green process for biofuel production and wastewater remediation?

Bioresour Technol. 2018 May:256:491-501. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.02.031. Epub 2018 Feb 8.

Authors

P Vo Hoang Nhat¹, H H Ngo², W S Guo¹, S W Chang³, D D Nguyen⁴, P D Nguyen⁵, X T Bui⁵, X B Zhang¹, J B Guo¹

Affiliations

¹ Joint Research Centre for Protective Infrastructure Technology and Environmental Green Bioprocess, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia and Department of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, TianjinChengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China.
² Joint Research Centre for Protective Infrastructure Technology and Environmental Green Bioprocess, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia and Department of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, TianjinChengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China. Electronic address: h.ngo@uts.edu.au.
³ Department of Environmental Energy & Engineering, Kyonggi University, 442-760, Republic of Korea.
⁴ Department of Environmental Energy & Engineering, Kyonggi University, 442-760, Republic of Korea; Institution of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Viet Nam.
⁵ Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Technology, Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.

PMID: 29472123
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.02.031

Abstract

Algae is a well-known organism that its characteristic is prominent for biofuel production and wastewater remediation. This critical review aims to present the applicability of algae with in-depth discussion regarding three key aspects: (i) characterization of algae for its applications; (ii) the technical approaches and their strengths and drawbacks; and (iii) future perspectives of algae-based technologies. The process optimization and combinations with other chemical and biological processes have generated efficiency, in which bio-oil yield is up to 41.1%. Through life cycle assessment, algae bio-energy achieves high energy return than fossil fuel. Thus, the algae-based technologies can reasonably be considered as green approaches. Although selling price of algae bio-oil is still high (about $2 L^-1) compared to fossil fuel's price of $1 L^-1, it is expected that the algae bio-oil's price will become acceptable in the next coming decades and potentially dominate 75% of the market.

Keywords: Algae; Biofuel production; Nutrient removal; Wastewater remediation.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biofuels*
Plant Oils
Polyphenols
Wastewater*

Substances

Bio-Oil
Biofuels
Plant Oils
Polyphenols
Waste Water