Macroalgae-Derived Biofuel: A Review of Methods of Energy Extraction from Seaweed Biomass

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Abstract: 

The potential of algal biomass as a source of liquid and gaseous biofuels is a highly topical theme, but as yet there is no successful economically viable commercial system producing biofuel. However, the majority of the research has focused on producing fuels from microalgae rather than from macroalgae. This article briefly reviews the methods by which useful energy may be extracted from macroalgae biomass including: direct combustion, pyrolysis, gasification, trans-esterification to biodiesel, hydrothermal liquefaction, fermentation to bioethanol, fermentation to biobutanol and anaerobic digestion, and explores technical and engineering difficulties that remain to be resolved.

Author(s): 
John J. Milledge
Benjamin Smith
Philip W. Dyer
Patricia Harvey
Keywords: 
seaweed
macroalgae
algae
bioenergy
pyrolysis
gasification
liquefaction
fermentation
anaerobic digestion
Link / Ref: 
Research Gate
Attachment: 
PDF icon energies-07-07194-v2.pdf
Article Source: 
Energies 7(11):7194-7222
Category: 
Ecological Services
Processing methods
Uses of Seaweeds: Fuel or Energy