Analysis of Microalgal Biorefineries for Bioenergy from an Environmental and Economic Perspective Focus on Algal Biodiesel - Biotechnological Applications of Microalgae - page 129

TABLE 9.4
Cost Estimates for the Production of Algal Biomass and Algal Oil on a Large Scale

Biomass
Productivity
(g DW m −2 d −1 )
[Biomass
concentration
(g L −1 )]

Estimated
Cost of
Algal
Biomass
(US$ per kg
biomass)

Estimated
Cost of Algal
Lipid (L) or
Biodiesel (D)
(US$ per
liter)

Lipid
Content
(%) Ref. Species Location Assumptions wrt Process

Benemann and
Oswald, 1996

- 30 50 0.241 0.43 (D) Raceway

Benemann and
Oswald, 1996

- 60 50 0.148 0.26 (D) Raceway

Molina Grima et al.,
2004

Phaeodactylum - - - 30.4 Photobioreactor

Van Harmelen and
Oonk, 2006

27 30 0.37 1.06 (D) Raceway

Chisti, 2007 - - 72 30 0.47 1.41 (D) Photobioreactor

Chisti, 2007 - - 35 30 0.60 1.81 (D) Raceway

Norsker et al., 2011 Spirulina,

Dunaliella

Eindhoven, the
Netherlands

[0.3 g L −1 ] 6.45 Raceway ponds, as wet paste.

Paddlewheel circulating liquid
at 0.25 m s −1

Norsker et al., 2011 - Eindhoven, the

Netherlands

[2.1 g L −1 ] 7.77 Flat-plate photobioreactor, as

wet paste; aeration at 1 vvm;
polyethylene ilm panels of
1-year lifetime

( Continued )