Production of chemicals and utilities in-house improves the environmental sustainability of phytoplankton-based biorefinery
Kiehbadroudinezhad, M.; Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha, H.; Karimi, K.; Madadi, M.; Chisti, Y.; Peng, W.X.; Liu, D.; Tabatabaei, M.; Aghbashlo, M. (2023). Production of chemicals and utilities in-house improves the environmental sustainability of phytoplankton-based biorefinery. Sci. Total Environ. 899: 165751. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165751
In: Science of the Total Environment. Elsevier: Amsterdam. ISSN 0048-9697; e-ISSN 1879-1026, more
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| Keywords |
Arthrospira Sitzenberger ex Gomont, 1892 [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
Phytoplankton biorefinery; Algal biofuels; Environmental impact; Life cycle analysis; Cumulative exergy demand; Sustainability |
| Authors | | Top |
- Kiehbadroudinezhad, M.
- Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha, H.
- Karimi, K., more
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- Madadi, M.
- Chisti, Y.
- Peng, W.X.
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- Liu, D.
- Tabatabaei, M.
- Aghbashlo, M.
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| Abstract |
Life cycle assessment was used to evaluate the environmental impacts of phytoplanktonic biofuels as possible sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. Three scenarios were examined for converting planktonic biomass into higher-value commodities and energy streams using the alga Scenedesmus sp. and the cyanobacterium Arthrospira sp. as the species of interest. The first scenario (Sc-1) involved the production of biodiesel and glycerol from the planktonic biomass. In the second scenario (Sc-2), biodiesel and glycerol were generated from the planktonic biomass, and biogas was produced from the residual biomass. The process also involved using a catalyst derived from snail shells for biodiesel production. The third scenario (Sc-3) was similar to Sc-2 but converted CO2 from the biogas upgrading to methanol, which was then used in synthesizing biodiesel. The results indicated that Sc-2 and Sc-3 had a reduced potential (up to 60 % less) for damaging human health compared to Sc-1. Sc-2 and Sc-3 had up to 61 % less environmental impact than Sc-1. Sc-2 and Sc-3 reduced the total cumulative exergy demand by up to 44 % compared to Sc-1. In conclusion, producing chemicals and utilities within the biorefinery could significantly improve environmental sustainability, reduce waste, and diversify revenue streams. |
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