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Production of biofuels from microalgae
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Production of biofuels from microalgae

S. Fon Sing, A. Isdepsky, M.A. Borowitzka and N.R. Moheimani
Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Vol.18(1), pp.47-72
2013
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-011-9294-x
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Abstract

The production of biofuels from microalgae, especially biodiesel, has become a topic of great interest in recent years. However, many of the published papers do not consider the question of scale up and the feasibility of the various processes to be operated at the very large scale required if algal biofuels are to make a meaningful contribution to renewable fuels. All the steps in the process must also be very low cost. This paper discusses the unit processes required for algal biofuels production (i. e., growing the algae, harvesting, dewatering, extraction and conversion to biofuel) and their scalability. In many cases, especially in the lipid extraction step, little is known as yet as to the scalability and economic feasibility of the various processes proposed. We also highlight the key engineering and biological issues which must be resolved for the production of biofuels from microalgae to become an economic reality.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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#6 Clean Water and Sanitation

Source: InCites

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93 Record Views
117 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

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Citation topics
3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
3.171 Photoproductivity
3.171.477 Microalgae Biotechnology
Web Of Science research areas
Environmental Sciences
ESI research areas
Environment/Ecology
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