Analysis of Microalgal Biorefineries for Bioenergy from an Environmental and Economic Perspective Focus on Algal Biodiesel - Biotechnological Applications of Microalgae - page 113

9 Analysis of Microalgal

Biorefineries for
Bioenergy from an
Environmental and
Economic Perspective
Focus on Algal Biodiesel

Susan T.L. Harrison, Christine Richardson,
and Melinda J. Griffiths
Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research
Department of Chemical Engineering
University of Cape Town, South Africa

CONTENTS
9.1 Microalgae for Bioenergy ............................................................................. 114
9.2 Analytical Tools for Assessing Environmental Sustainability ..................... 115
9.3 Environmental Sustainability of Microalgal Processes ............................... 117
9.3.1 Overview of Environmental Assessment of Algal Biodiesel ........... 117
9.3.2 Algal Bioreactors .............................................................................. 123
9.3.3 Nutrient Provision for Microalgal Culture ....................................... 125
9.3.4 Biomass Recovery ............................................................................ 126
9.3.5 Biomass Drying and Conversion ...................................................... 126
9.3.6 Impact of Species Selection .............................................................. 127
9.3.7 The Biorefinery ................................................................................. 127
9.4 Economic Considerations of Microalgal Production .................................... 128
9.4.1 Cost of Algal Biomass and Algal Oil ............................................... 128
9.4.2 Key Process Components Contributing to Cost ............................... 132
9.4.3 Potential Earnings from By-Products ............................................... 132
9.5 Key Focal Areas for Improving Environmental and Economic
Sustainability ................................................................................................ 133
References .............................................................................................................. 134

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