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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Microalgae have been reported as a promising alternative for biofuels production. However, the use of microalgae for
biofuels is still a challenge due to the intense energy use and the generation of a significant amount of biomass residues in
the process. In order to analyze the environmental impacts of different technological processes for the production of biodiesel
from microalgae, several studies have been published making use of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, which
allows the recognition of the process bottlenecks and supports the identification of alternatives for a more efficient use of the
feedstock. Therefore, in this study, a Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) is compiled, based on real pilot-scale process data, which
was scaled-up to a microalgae biomass industrial plant for biofuel production. Values of energy, nutrients, water, and materials
consumption are used to create an inventory of inputs and outputs for biomass cultivation and biodiesel production, in order
to acquire data to conduct a complete LCA modeling in future studies. According to this model, to produce 1 kg of biodiesel
it is necessary about 12 kg of dried algae biomass. This study supports the decision-making process in biofuel production to
promote the development of sustainable pilot and large-scale algae-based industry, through the identification of critical factors.
Description
Keywords
Biofuels Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Citation
Branco-Vieira, M., Costa, D., Mata, T. M., Martins, A. A., Freitas, M. A. V., & Caetano, N. S. (2020). A life cycle inventory of microalgae-based biofuels production in an industrial plant concept. Energy Reports, 6, 397-402. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2019.08.079
Publisher
Elsevier