The cost benefit of algal technology for combined CO2 mitigation and nutrient abatement

The use of microalgae culture technology (MCT) for mitigating CO2 emissions from flue gases and nutrient discharges from wastewater whilst generating a biofuel product is considered with reference to the cost benefit offered. The review examines the most recent MCT literature (post 2010) focused on...

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Main Authors: Judd, S., Al Momani, F., Znad, Hussein, Al Ketife, A.
Format: Journal Article
Published: 2017
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/12165
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author Judd, S.
Al Momani, F.
Znad, Hussein
Al Ketife, A.
author_facet Judd, S.
Al Momani, F.
Znad, Hussein
Al Ketife, A.
author_sort Judd, S.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description The use of microalgae culture technology (MCT) for mitigating CO2 emissions from flue gases and nutrient discharges from wastewater whilst generating a biofuel product is considered with reference to the cost benefit offered. The review examines the most recent MCT literature (post 2010) focused on the algal biomass or biofuel production cost. The analysis reveals that, according to published studies, biofuel cost follows an approximate inverse relationship with algal or lipid productivity with a minimum production cost of $1 L−1 attained under representative conditions. A 35–86% cost reduction is reported across all studies from the combined harnessing of CO2 and nutrients from waste sources. This compares with 12–27% for obviating fertiliser procurement through using a wastewater nutrient source (or else recycling the liquor from the extracted algal biomass waste), and 19–39% for CO2 fixation from a flue gas feed. Notwithstanding the above, economic competitiveness with mineral fuels appears to be attainable only under circumstances which also feature: a) The inclusion of cost and environmental benefits from wastewater treatment (such as the energy and/or greenhouse gas emissions benefit from nutrient and CO2 discharge abatement), and/or b) Multiple installations over an extended geographic region where flue gas and wastewater sources are co-located.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-121652017-05-17T05:36:28Z The cost benefit of algal technology for combined CO2 mitigation and nutrient abatement Judd, S. Al Momani, F. Znad, Hussein Al Ketife, A. The use of microalgae culture technology (MCT) for mitigating CO2 emissions from flue gases and nutrient discharges from wastewater whilst generating a biofuel product is considered with reference to the cost benefit offered. The review examines the most recent MCT literature (post 2010) focused on the algal biomass or biofuel production cost. The analysis reveals that, according to published studies, biofuel cost follows an approximate inverse relationship with algal or lipid productivity with a minimum production cost of $1 L−1 attained under representative conditions. A 35–86% cost reduction is reported across all studies from the combined harnessing of CO2 and nutrients from waste sources. This compares with 12–27% for obviating fertiliser procurement through using a wastewater nutrient source (or else recycling the liquor from the extracted algal biomass waste), and 19–39% for CO2 fixation from a flue gas feed. Notwithstanding the above, economic competitiveness with mineral fuels appears to be attainable only under circumstances which also feature: a) The inclusion of cost and environmental benefits from wastewater treatment (such as the energy and/or greenhouse gas emissions benefit from nutrient and CO2 discharge abatement), and/or b) Multiple installations over an extended geographic region where flue gas and wastewater sources are co-located. 2017 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/12165 restricted
spellingShingle Judd, S.
Al Momani, F.
Znad, Hussein
Al Ketife, A.
The cost benefit of algal technology for combined CO2 mitigation and nutrient abatement
title The cost benefit of algal technology for combined CO2 mitigation and nutrient abatement
title_full The cost benefit of algal technology for combined CO2 mitigation and nutrient abatement
title_fullStr The cost benefit of algal technology for combined CO2 mitigation and nutrient abatement
title_full_unstemmed The cost benefit of algal technology for combined CO2 mitigation and nutrient abatement
title_short The cost benefit of algal technology for combined CO2 mitigation and nutrient abatement
title_sort cost benefit of algal technology for combined co2 mitigation and nutrient abatement
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/12165