Journal article
Techno-economic analysis of microalgae production for aquafeed in Norway
Algal research (Amsterdam), Vol.64, p.102679
05/01/2022
DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102679
Abstract
The sustainability of the aquaculture sector depends mainly on the search for alternative sources to fishmeal and fish oil, one of which is microalgae. However, there are few feasibility studies of the microalgae process chain. This work aimed to address this gap through a TEA of microalgae (Phaeodactylum tricornutum) production. The TEA combines process modelling, engineering design and economic evaluation. As a result, different projections are obtained, yielding the breakdown of capital investment and operating costs.
The study is based on pilot-scale experimental results using tubular PBR in Norway. This TEA shows that 29.48 t of biomass per ha of facility and year would be a real productivity. At PBR scales of 1 and 100 ha, microalgae could be produced for 108.26 or 44 €/kg DW of harvested biomass respectively. Artificial light is indispensable for microalgae production in Norway, as its absence would represent a 50% lower productivity and a cost increase of 95%. Producing the final product as a powder represents a 1.20% greater cost. Not only does the production under more favourable climatic conditions (southern Spain) removes the need for artificial lights and greenhouses, but it also would imply greater productivity (39.02 t/ha/year) and a reduced cost (23.08 €/kg DW of disrupted and dry biomass) at a scale of 100 ha.
The main factor affecting CAPEX is the PBR, which range from 49.48 to 96.37% of the MEC. As for OPEX, the most critical elements vary with the projection: labour, energy, utilities, and other costs. The competitiveness of microalgae for aquaculture depends on a combination of different factors. Reducing the cost of the PBR and greenhouse, increasing the PE and widening the temperature range of the culture could reduce the cost by a further 76%.
•Economic evaluation of large-scale microalgae production based on pilot results•Annual production in Norway of 29.48 t for 1 ha with a cost of 108.26 €/kg DW•A 59% reduction in biomass cost would be achieved by switching from 1 to 100 ha.•The production of biomass in Norway is doubled by using artificial lights (LEDs).•Approaching a multifactorial strategy would achieve a final cost of 10.50 €/kg DW.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Techno-economic analysis of microalgae production for aquafeed in Norway
- Creators
- Bárbara Vázquez-Romero - Universidad de CádizJosé Antonio Perales - Departamento de Tecnologías del Medio Ambiente, Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Marinas (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEIMAR), Universidad de Cádiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, SpainJeroen H. de Vree - University of BergenHanna Böpple - NORCE Research ASPia Steinrücken - University of BergenMaria J. Barbosa - Bioprocess Engineering, AlgaePARC, Wageningen University, PO Box 16, 6700, AA, Wageningen, the NetherlandsDorinde M.M. Kleinegris - NORCE Research ASJesús Ruiz - Alga Development Engineering and Services, S.L., 11500 El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Spain
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Algal research (Amsterdam), Vol.64, p.102679
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102679
- ISSN
- 2211-9264
- eISSN
- 2211-9264
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/501100000161, name: Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada; DOI: 10.13039/501100008723, name: Universidad de Cádiz
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/01/2022
- Academic Unit
- International Programs; Spanish and Portuguese
- Record Identifier
- 9984398033402771
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