Algal Biofuels: Current Status and Key Challenges

Marwa G. Saad, Noura S. Dosoky, Mohamed S. Zoromba and Hesham M. Shafik
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Marwa G. Saad: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Port-Said University, Port-Said 42521, Egypt
Noura S. Dosoky: Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA
Mohamed S. Zoromba: Chemical and Materials Engineering Department, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia
Hesham M. Shafik: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Port-Said University, Port-Said 42521, Egypt

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 10, 1-22

Abstract: The current fossil fuel reserves are not sufficient to meet the increasing demand and very soon will become exhausted. Pollution, global warming, and inflated oil prices have led the quest for renewable energy sources. Algal biofuels represent a potential source of renewable energy. Algae, as the third generation feedstock, are suitable for biodiesel and bioethanol production due to their quick growth, excellent biomass yield, and high lipid and carbohydrate contents. With their huge potential, algae are expected to surpass the first and second generation feedstocks. Only a few thousand algal species have been investigated as possible biofuel sources, and none of them was ideal. This review summarizes the current status of algal biofuels, important steps of algal biofuel production, and the major commercial production challenges.

Keywords: biofuels; microalgae; renewable energy; algal cultivation; biofuel conversion (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: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (19)

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