In addition to considering all these factors, it is important to know all the
advantages and limitations of each microalgae cultivation system. In this sense,
Table 7 shows the pros and cons of all the systems presented in this chapter.
6 Final Considerations
The biofuels production from microalgae has been demonstrated to have broad
potential of application, but these currently still remain at the exploratory stage.
This chapter underlines several aspects involved in the microalgal production
systems in order to help the development of biofuels from microalgae. Despite that
a great deal of work has been done to develop systems for microalgae production, to
date, there is no system without limitations. The main difficulties are related to the
cost of construction and operation, scaling-up, contamination, and to a limited
knowledge about the new cultivation systems. Therefore, to choose a system,
trade-offs among productivity, costs, scaling-up, and value of final product should
be carefully made.
References
Abomohra, A., Jin, W., Tu, R., Han, S., Eid, M., & Eladel, H. (2016). Microalgal biomass
production as a sustainable feedstock for biodiesel: Current status and perspectives. Renewable
and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 64, 596–606.
Alias, C. B., Lopez, M. C. G. M., Fernández, F. G. A., Sevilla, J. M. G., Sanchez, J. L. G., &
Grima, E. M. (2004). Influence of power supply in the feasibility of Phaeodactylum
tricornutum cultures. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 87, 723–733.
Becker, E. W. (1994). Microalgae-biotechnology and microbiology (1st ed.). Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
Benemann, J. R., Goebel, R. P., Augenstein, D. C., & Weissman, J. C. (1982). Microalgae as a
source of liquid fuels. Final technical Report to U.S. DOE BER, viewed August 24, 2016,
.
Bennett, M. C., Turn, S. Q., & Chan, W. Y. (2014). A methodology to assess open pond,
phototrophic, algae production potential: A Hawaii case study. Biomass and Bioenergy, 66,
168–75.
Bergmann, P., & Trösch, W. (2016). Repeated fed-batch cultivation of Thermosynechococcus
elongatus BP-1 in flat-panel airlift photobioreactors with static mixers for improved light
utilization: Influence of nitrate, carbon supply and photobioreactor design. Algal Research, 17,
79–86.
Billad, M. R., Arafat, H. A., & Vankelecom, I. F. J. (2015). Membrane technology in microalgae
cultivation and harvesting: A review. Biotechnology Advances, 32, 1283–1300.
Borowitzka, M. A. (2005). Culturing microalgae in outdoor ponds. In R. A. Andersen (Ed.), Algal
culturing techniques (pp. 205–218). Amsterdam: Elsevier Academic Press.
Brennan, L., & Owende, P. (2010). Biofuels from microalgae: A review of technologies for
production, processing, and extractions of biofuels and co products. Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews, 14, 557–577.
28
M. M. Maroneze and M. I. Queiroz
advantages and limitations of each microalgae cultivation system. In this sense,
Table 7 shows the pros and cons of all the systems presented in this chapter.
6 Final Considerations
The biofuels production from microalgae has been demonstrated to have broad
potential of application, but these currently still remain at the exploratory stage.
This chapter underlines several aspects involved in the microalgal production
systems in order to help the development of biofuels from microalgae. Despite that
a great deal of work has been done to develop systems for microalgae production, to
date, there is no system without limitations. The main difficulties are related to the
cost of construction and operation, scaling-up, contamination, and to a limited
knowledge about the new cultivation systems. Therefore, to choose a system,
trade-offs among productivity, costs, scaling-up, and value of final product should
be carefully made.
References
Abomohra, A., Jin, W., Tu, R., Han, S., Eid, M., & Eladel, H. (2016). Microalgal biomass
production as a sustainable feedstock for biodiesel: Current status and perspectives. Renewable
and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 64, 596–606.
Alias, C. B., Lopez, M. C. G. M., Fernández, F. G. A., Sevilla, J. M. G., Sanchez, J. L. G., &
Grima, E. M. (2004). Influence of power supply in the feasibility of Phaeodactylum
tricornutum cultures. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 87, 723–733.
Becker, E. W. (1994). Microalgae-biotechnology and microbiology (1st ed.). Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
Benemann, J. R., Goebel, R. P., Augenstein, D. C., & Weissman, J. C. (1982). Microalgae as a
source of liquid fuels. Final technical Report to U.S. DOE BER, viewed August 24, 2016,
Bennett, M. C., Turn, S. Q., & Chan, W. Y. (2014). A methodology to assess open pond,
phototrophic, algae production potential: A Hawaii case study. Biomass and Bioenergy, 66,
168–75.
Bergmann, P., & Trösch, W. (2016). Repeated fed-batch cultivation of Thermosynechococcus
elongatus BP-1 in flat-panel airlift photobioreactors with static mixers for improved light
utilization: Influence of nitrate, carbon supply and photobioreactor design. Algal Research, 17,
79–86.
Billad, M. R., Arafat, H. A., & Vankelecom, I. F. J. (2015). Membrane technology in microalgae
cultivation and harvesting: A review. Biotechnology Advances, 32, 1283–1300.
Borowitzka, M. A. (2005). Culturing microalgae in outdoor ponds. In R. A. Andersen (Ed.), Algal
culturing techniques (pp. 205–218). Amsterdam: Elsevier Academic Press.
Brennan, L., & Owende, P. (2010). Biofuels from microalgae: A review of technologies for
production, processing, and extractions of biofuels and co products. Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews, 14, 557–577.
28
M. M. Maroneze and M. I. Queiroz