Journal article
Comparative life cycle assessment of real pilot reactors for microalgae cultivation in different seasons
Applied energy, Vol.205, pp.1151-1164
11/01/2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.08.102
Abstract
Microalgae are promising natural resources for biofuels, chemical, food and feed products. Besides their economic potential, the environmental sustainability must be examined. Cultivation has a significant environmental impact that depends on reactor selection and operating conditions. To identify the main environmental bottlenecks for scale-up to industrial facilities this study provides a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of open raceway ponds and tubular photobioreactors at pilot scale. The results are based on experimental data from real pilot plants operated in summer, fall and winter at AIgaePARC (Wageningen, The Netherlands). The energy consumption for temperature regulation presented the highest environmental burden. The production of nutrients affected some categories. Despite limited differences compared to the vertical system, the horizontal PBR was found the most efficient in terms of productivity and environmental impact. The ORP was, given the Dutch climatic conditions, only feasible under summer operation. The results highlight the relevance of LCA as a tool for decision-making in process design. Weather conditions and availability of sources for temperature regulation were identified as essential factors for the selection of geographic locations and for microalgal cultivation systems based on environmental criteria. Simulation of large-scale reactors with optimized temperature regulation systems lead to environmental improvements and energy demand reductions ranging from 17% up to 90% for systems operated in favorable summer conditions.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Comparative life cycle assessment of real pilot reactors for microalgae cultivation in different seasons
- Creators
- Paula Perez-Lopez - Universidade de Santiago de CompostelaJeroen H. de Vree - Wageningen University & ResearchGumersindo Feijoo - Universidade de Santiago de CompostelaRouke Bosma - Wageningen University & ResearchMaria J. Barbosa - Wageningen Univ, Bioproc Engn Grp, AlgaePARC, POB 16, NL-6700 AA Wageningen, NetherlandsMaria Teresa Moreira - Universidade de Santiago de CompostelaRene H. Wijffels - Nord UniversityAnton J. B. van Boxtel - Wageningen University & ResearchDorinde M. M. Kleinegris - Wageningen University & Research
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Applied energy, Vol.205, pp.1151-1164
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.08.102
- ISSN
- 0306-2619
- eISSN
- 1872-9118
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 14
- Grant note
- Bioprocess Engineering Group GRC 2013-032; AGRUP2015/02 / FEDER; European Commission DSM Staatsolie Suriname AlgaePARC team Xunta de Galicia Paques Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation Simris Alg Province of Gelderland Exxon Mobil; Exxon Mobil Corporation Neste Oil BioSolar Cells 265896 / BAMMBO GEA Westfalia Separator Heliae Roquette BASF Unilever AP2012-1605 / Spanish Ministry of Education; Spanish Government BioOils Synthetic Genomics TOTAL; Total SA SABIC Biobased Chemistry and Technology Group Drie Wilgen Development Nijhuis Cellulac Proviron Wageningen University and Research
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/01/2017
- Academic Unit
- International Programs; Spanish and Portuguese
- Record Identifier
- 9984397915002771
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