Energy balance of torrefied microalgal biomass with production upscale approached by life cycle assessment.

Journal of Environmental Management
Diana Rose T RiveraAlvin B Culaba

Abstract

Torrefaction is a thermochemical process used to convert the biomass into solid fuel. In this study, torrefaction increased the raw microalgal biomass' energy content from 20.22 MJ⋅kg-1 to 27.93 MJ⋅kg-1. To determine if more energy is produced than energy consumption from torrefaction, this study identified the energy balance of torrefied microalgal biomass production based on a life cycle approach. The energy analysis showed that, among all processes, torrefaction had the least amount of energy demand. The experimental setup, defined as scenario A, revealed that the principal source of energy demand, about 85%, was consumed on the microalgal growth using a photobioreactor system. A sensitivity analysis was also performed to determine the varying energy demand for torrefied microalgal biomass production. The different types of cultivation methods and various production scales were considered in scenarios B to D. Scenario D, which represented the commercial production-scale, the energy demand drastically decreased by 59.46% as compared to the experimental setup (scenario A). The open-pond cultivation system resulted in the least energy requirement, regardless of the production scale (scenarios B and C) among all the given scenar...Continue Reading

References

Mar 14, 2007·Biotechnology Advances·Yusuf Chisti
Sep 22, 2009·Environmental Science & Technology·Laurent LardonOlivier Bernard
Jan 30, 2010·Environmental Science & Technology·Mark A J HuijbregtsA Jan Hendriks
Aug 3, 2010·Bioresource Technology·Pierre ColletJean-Philippe Steyer
Dec 15, 2011·Biotechnology Advances·Man Kee Lam, Keat Teong Lee
Jan 26, 2013·Bioresource Technology·Yu-Fong HuangShang-Lien Lo
Aug 1, 2013·Journal of Environmental Management·Howard PassellNathan Ayer
Jul 25, 2014·Bioresource Technology·Wei-Hsin ChenChun-Yen Chen
Dec 7, 2014·Bioresource Technology·Wei-Hsin ChenJo-Shu Chang
Mar 18, 2015·Bioresource Technology·Wei-Hsin ChenWen-Jhy Lee
May 22, 2018·Bioresource Technology·Shih-Hsin HoJo-Shu Chang
Jan 7, 2020·Bioresource Technology·Aristotle T UbandoWei-Hsin Chen
Aug 21, 2020·Trends in Biotechnology·Shih-Hsin HoWei-Hsin Chen

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.