Energy analysis of algae-to-biofuel production chains integrated with a combined heat and power plant
This study examines the energy and mass balances of algae cultivation and different post-processing pathways. Flue gases and excess heat from a combined heat and power (CHP) plant are used in algae cultivation, with nutrients from municipal wastewater. In the studied pathways, algae are cultivated i...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2019-07-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Sustainable Engineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19397038.2018.1536728 |
| _version_ | 1797678358480289792 |
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| author | Mikko Kouhia Henrik Holmberg Matti Sonck Pekka Ahtila |
| author_facet | Mikko Kouhia Henrik Holmberg Matti Sonck Pekka Ahtila |
| author_sort | Mikko Kouhia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study examines the energy and mass balances of algae cultivation and different post-processing pathways. Flue gases and excess heat from a combined heat and power (CHP) plant are used in algae cultivation, with nutrients from municipal wastewater. In the studied pathways, algae are cultivated in open ponds and photobioreactors with or without artificial lighting. Algal mass is used for methane, biodiesel or ethanol production, or it is combusted in a boiler. Results show that in most process pathways energy output exceeds the energy consumption in processing, and the energy returns are approximately twice as large as the electricity input. A large fraction of input energy is low-temperature heat, while the products have a higher value. Energy outputs from different pathways are similar, but heat and electricity consumption in processing vary significantly. Supercritical water gasification pathway is identified as a possible future option, whereas lipid extraction pathways are suggested to be the most likely candidates for industrial scale operations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T22:58:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-608be9630ef74c26a8c2bd1b38b2459a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1939-7038 1939-7046 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T22:58:34Z |
| publishDate | 2019-07-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Sustainable Engineering |
| spelling | doaj.art-608be9630ef74c26a8c2bd1b38b2459a2023-09-21T15:17:02ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Sustainable Engineering1939-70381939-70462019-07-0112428129010.1080/19397038.2018.15367281536728Energy analysis of algae-to-biofuel production chains integrated with a combined heat and power plantMikko Kouhia0Henrik Holmberg1Matti Sonck2Pekka Ahtila3Aalto UniversityAalto UniversityFortum CorporationAalto UniversityThis study examines the energy and mass balances of algae cultivation and different post-processing pathways. Flue gases and excess heat from a combined heat and power (CHP) plant are used in algae cultivation, with nutrients from municipal wastewater. In the studied pathways, algae are cultivated in open ponds and photobioreactors with or without artificial lighting. Algal mass is used for methane, biodiesel or ethanol production, or it is combusted in a boiler. Results show that in most process pathways energy output exceeds the energy consumption in processing, and the energy returns are approximately twice as large as the electricity input. A large fraction of input energy is low-temperature heat, while the products have a higher value. Energy outputs from different pathways are similar, but heat and electricity consumption in processing vary significantly. Supercritical water gasification pathway is identified as a possible future option, whereas lipid extraction pathways are suggested to be the most likely candidates for industrial scale operations.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19397038.2018.1536728microalgaebiofuelenergy balanceprocess integration |
| spellingShingle | Mikko Kouhia Henrik Holmberg Matti Sonck Pekka Ahtila Energy analysis of algae-to-biofuel production chains integrated with a combined heat and power plant International Journal of Sustainable Engineering microalgae biofuel energy balance process integration |
| title | Energy analysis of algae-to-biofuel production chains integrated with a combined heat and power plant |
| title_full | Energy analysis of algae-to-biofuel production chains integrated with a combined heat and power plant |
| title_fullStr | Energy analysis of algae-to-biofuel production chains integrated with a combined heat and power plant |
| title_full_unstemmed | Energy analysis of algae-to-biofuel production chains integrated with a combined heat and power plant |
| title_short | Energy analysis of algae-to-biofuel production chains integrated with a combined heat and power plant |
| title_sort | energy analysis of algae to biofuel production chains integrated with a combined heat and power plant |
| topic | microalgae biofuel energy balance process integration |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19397038.2018.1536728 |
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