Biofuel Production Using Cultivated Algae: Technologies, Economics, and Its Environmental Impacts

Motasem Y. D. Alazaiza (), Ahmed Albahnasawi, Tahra Al Maskari, Mohammed Shadi S. Abujazar, Mohammed J. K. Bashir, Dia Eddin Nassani and Salem S. Abu Amr
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Motasem Y. D. Alazaiza: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, A’Sharqiyah University, Ibra 400, Oman
Ahmed Albahnasawi: Department of Environmental Engineering, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli 41400, Turkey
Tahra Al Maskari: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, A’Sharqiyah University, Ibra 400, Oman
Mohammed Shadi S. Abujazar: Al-Aqsa Community Intermediate College, Al-Aqsa University, Gaza 4051, Palestine
Mohammed J. K. Bashir: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar 31900, Malaysia
Dia Eddin Nassani: Department of Civil Engineering, Hasan Kalyoncu University, Gaziantep 27500, Turkey
Salem S. Abu Amr: International College of Engineering and Management, Seeb 2511, Oman

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 3, 1-27

Abstract: The process of looking for alternative energy sources is driven by the increasing demand for energy and environmental contamination caused by using fossil fuels. Recent investigations reported the efficiency of microalgae for biofuel production due to its low cost of production, high speed of growth, and ability to grow in harsh environments. In addition, many microalgae are photosynthetic, consuming CO 2 and solar light to grow in biomass and providing a promising bioenergy source. This review presents the recent advances in the application of microalgae for biofuel production. In addition, cultivation and harvesting systems and environmental factors that affect microalgae cultivation for biofuel production have also been discussed. Moreover, lipid extraction and conversion technologies to biofuel are presented. The mixotrophic cultivation strategy is promising as it combines the advantages of heterotrophy and autotrophy. Green harvesting methods such as using bio-coagulants and flocculants are promising technologies to reduce the cost of microalgal biomass production. In the future, more investigations into co-cultivation systems, new green harvesting methods, high lipids extraction methods, and the optimization of lipid extraction and converting processes should be implemented to increase the sustainability of microalgae application for biofuel production.

Keywords: microalgae; biofuel; cultivation and harvesting; techno economic assessment; lipid extraction (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: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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