title: Life cycle energy and CO2 analysis of microalgae-to-biodiesel: preliminary results and comparisons.
abstract: Despite claims that microalgal biofuels are environmentally friendlier alternatives to conventional fuels, debate surrounding its ecological benefits or drawbacks still exists. LCA is used to analyze various biofuel production technologies from 'cradle to gate'. Energy and CO(2) balances are carried out for a hypothetical integrated PBR-raceway microalgae-to-biodiesel production in Singapore. Based on a functional unit of 1 MJ biofuel, the total energy demands are 4.44 MJ with 13% from biomass production, 85% from lipid extraction, and 2% from biodiesel production. Sensitivity analysis was carried out for adjustments in energy requirements, percentage lipid contents, and lower/higher heating product value. An 'Optimistic Case' was projected with estimates of: 45% lipid content; reduced energy needs for lipid extraction (1.3 MJ per MJ biodiesel); and heating value of biodiesel (42 MJ/kg). The life cycle energy requirements dropped significantly by about 60%. The results are compared with other published case studies from other countries.
authors: Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences, 1 Pesek Road, Jurong Island 627833, Singapore. khoo_hsien_hui@ices.a-star.edu.sg
authors: H H
authors: HH
authors: Khoo
authors: P N
authors: PN
authors: Sharratt
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Das
authors: R K
authors: RK
authors: Balasubramanian
authors: P K
authors: PK
authors: Naraharisetti
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Shaik
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels; D018533:Biomass; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D058086:Microalgae / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D002245:Carbon Dioxide