directs the utilization of microalgae in different ways (Fig. 1). These components
vary according to the species observed in different areas depending on the surrounding conditions like temperature, nutrients, pH, and light intensity.
Microalgae production offers advantages like high rates of production, and less
doubling time as compared to plants and other biomass feedstocks and can help in
utilizing the non-arable land with possible cultivation using the saline or waste water.
It has the ability to sustain in environments having nutrient limitations and varying
pH. Actually, under specific stress conditions, it produces high levels of lipids which
can be further converted to biofuels efficiently. Currently, the cost of cultivating and
harvesting microalgae is a setback which requires a greater investment as compared to
other options available. Study on microalgae production approaches is required on
higher scale as they may consist of untapped information which can be utilized for
further good of mankind, though this is not the focus of the current chapter.
Depending on the metabolism, microalgae can be classified into four groups, that
is, photoautotrophic, heterotrophic, photoheterotrophic, and mixotrophic.
Microalgae can also be differentiated based on the source of cultivation such as
freshwater or marine water. Freshwater algae are found to be grown on rocks under
water and in mud of streams and river but the growth observed is more in still water
than in flowing water. Chlorophyta (green algae), Rhodophyta (red algae), and
Bacillariophyta (diatoms) are the examples of freshwater algae. The main problem
is, however, the contamination of freshwater caused due to algae growth. Marine
algae cultivation can help in boosting the economics involved in biomass
Fig. 1 Biofuels and other products which can be obtained by processing of microalgae
4 Process Intensification of Biofuel Production …
61
vary according to the species observed in different areas depending on the surrounding conditions like temperature, nutrients, pH, and light intensity.
Microalgae production offers advantages like high rates of production, and less
doubling time as compared to plants and other biomass feedstocks and can help in
utilizing the non-arable land with possible cultivation using the saline or waste water.
It has the ability to sustain in environments having nutrient limitations and varying
pH. Actually, under specific stress conditions, it produces high levels of lipids which
can be further converted to biofuels efficiently. Currently, the cost of cultivating and
harvesting microalgae is a setback which requires a greater investment as compared to
other options available. Study on microalgae production approaches is required on
higher scale as they may consist of untapped information which can be utilized for
further good of mankind, though this is not the focus of the current chapter.
Depending on the metabolism, microalgae can be classified into four groups, that
is, photoautotrophic, heterotrophic, photoheterotrophic, and mixotrophic.
Microalgae can also be differentiated based on the source of cultivation such as
freshwater or marine water. Freshwater algae are found to be grown on rocks under
water and in mud of streams and river but the growth observed is more in still water
than in flowing water. Chlorophyta (green algae), Rhodophyta (red algae), and
Bacillariophyta (diatoms) are the examples of freshwater algae. The main problem
is, however, the contamination of freshwater caused due to algae growth. Marine
algae cultivation can help in boosting the economics involved in biomass
Fig. 1 Biofuels and other products which can be obtained by processing of microalgae
4 Process Intensification of Biofuel Production …
61