Use Of Microalgae For Advanced Wastewater Treatment And Sustainable Bioenergy Generation

Keywords

bioenergy; biofuel; biomass; microalgae; nutrient recovery; wastewater

Abstract

Given that sustainable energy production and advanced wastewater treatment for producing clean water are two major challenges faced by modern society, microalgae make a desirable treatment alternative by providing a renewable biomass feedstock for biofuel production, while treating wastewater as a growth medium. Microalgae have been known to be resilient to the toxic contaminants of highly concentrated organic wastewater (e.g., organic nitrogen, phosphorus, and salinity) and are excellent at sorbing heavy metals and emerging contaminants. Economic and environmental advantages associated with massive algae culturing in wastewater constitute a driving force to promote its utilization as a feedstock for biofuels. However, there are still many challenges to be resolved which have impeded the development of algal biofuel technology at a commercial scale. This review provides an overview of an integrated approach using microalgae for wastewater treatment, CO2 utilization, and biofuel production. The main goal of this article is to promote research in algae technologies by outlining critical needs along the integrated process train, including cultivation, harvesting, and biofuel production. Various aspects associated with design challenges of microalgae production are described and current developments in algae cultivation and pretreatment of algal biomass for biofuel production are also discussed. Furthermore, synergistic coupling of the use of microalgae for advanced wastewater treatment and biofuel production is highlighted in a sustainability context using life cycle analysis.

Publication Date

11-1-2016

Publication Title

Environmental Engineering Science

Volume

33

Issue

11

Number of Pages

882-897

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1089/ees.2016.0132

Socpus ID

84994692053 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84994692053

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