Biofuel Production from Seaweeds: A Comprehensive Review

Yiru Zhao, Nathalie Bourgougnon, Jean-Louis Lanoisellé and Thomas Lendormi ()
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Yiru Zhao: Univ. Bretagne Sud, UMR CNRS 6027, IRDL, F-56300 Pontivy, France
Nathalie Bourgougnon: Univ. Bretagne Sud, EA 3884, LBCM, IUEM, F-56000 Vannes, France
Jean-Louis Lanoisellé: Univ. Bretagne Sud, UMR CNRS 6027, IRDL, F-56300 Pontivy, France
Thomas Lendormi: Univ. Bretagne Sud, UMR CNRS 6027, IRDL, F-56300 Pontivy, France

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 24, 1-34

Abstract: Seaweeds represent a promising and sustainable feedstock for biofuel production which raises increasing research interests. Their high availability, easy fermentable composition, and good degradation potential make them a suitable candidate for alternating fossil fuels as an advantageous energy resource. This comprehensive review aims to summarize and discuss data from the literature on the biochemical composition of seaweeds and its potential for biomethane and biohydrogen production, as well as to investigate the effect of the common pretreatment methods. Satisfactory yields comparable to terrestrial biomass could be obtained through anaerobic digestion; concerning dark fermentation, the challenge remains to better define the operating conditions allowing a stable production of biohydrogen. Finally, we propose a potential energy production scheme with the seaweed found by the Caribbean Islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, as well as current techno-economic challenges and future prospects. An annual energy potential of 66 GWh could be attained via a two-stage biohythane production process, this tends to be promising in terms of energetic valorization and coastal management.

Keywords: macroalgae; biomethane; biohydrogen; Sargassum; anaerobic digestion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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