Energy balance and environmental impact analysis of marine microalgal biomass production for biodiesel generation in a photobioreactor pilot plant

A life cycle assessment (LCA) and an energy balance analysis of marine microalgal biomass production were conducted to determine the environmental impacts and the critical points of production for large scale planning. The artificial lighting and temperature conditions of an indoor bubble column pho...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biomass & bioenergy 2012-04, Vol.39, p.324-335
Main Authors: Sevigné Itoiz, E., Fuentes-Grünewald, C., Gasol, C.M., Garcés, E., Alacid, E., Rossi, S., Rieradevall, J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alexandrium
Alexandrium minutum
Alternative fuels. Production and utilization
Applied sciences
biodiesel
Biofuel production
Biological and medical sciences
biomass production
Biotechnology
electricity
Energy
Energy balance
environmental factors
environmental impact
Exact sciences and technology
freshwater
Fuels
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
global warming
Heterosigma akashiwo
Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects
Karlodinium veneficum
Life cycle assessment
lighting
Marine
microalgae
Miscellaneous
Pilot plant photobioreactor
planning
production technology
temperature
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Summary:A life cycle assessment (LCA) and an energy balance analysis of marine microalgal biomass production were conducted to determine the environmental impacts and the critical points of production for large scale planning. The artificial lighting and temperature conditions of an indoor bubble column photobioreactor (bcPBR) were compared to the natural conditions of an equivalent outdoor system. Marine microalgae, belonging to the dinoflagellate and raphidophyte groups, were cultured and the results were compared with published LCA data obtained from green microalgae (commonly freshwater algae). Among the species tested, Alexandrium minutum was chosen as the target marine microalgae for biomass production under outdoor conditions, although there were no substantial differences between any of the marine microalgae studied. Under indoor culture conditions, the total energy input for A. minutum was 923 MJ kg−1 vs. 139 MJ kg−1 for outdoor conditions. Therefore, a greater than 85% reduction in energy requirements was achieved using natural environmental conditions, demonstrating the feasibility of outdoor culture as an alternative method of bioenergy production from marine microalgae. The growth stage was identified as the principal source of energy consumption for all microalgae tested, due to the electricity requirements of the equipment, followed by the construction material of the bcPBR. The global warming category (GWP) was 6 times lower in outdoor than in indoor conditions. Although the energy balance was negative under both conditions, this study concludes with suggestions for improvements in the outdoor system that would allow up-scaling of this biomass production technology for outdoor conditions in the Mediterranean. ► We analyzed three marine microalgae for biodiesel production. ► We analyzed systems under artificial vs. natural Mediterranean conditions. ► We evaluate energy balance and environmental impacts throughout life cycle assessment. ► Natural systems present better energy balances and lower environmental impacts. ► Decreasing the energy of growth stage improves energy balance and decreases impacts.
ISSN:0961-9534
1873-2909
DOI:10.1016/j.biombioe.2012.01.026