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Cited by 1,187Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas ProductionAlgal biology and biofuel productionCatalysts for Methane Reforming

Anaerobic digestion of microalgae as a necessary step to make microalgal biodiesel sustainable

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Sialve, Bruno, Bernet, Nicolas, Bernard, Olivier·2009·Biotechnology Advances
DOI 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2009.03.001
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Abstract

The potential of microalgae as a source of biofuels and as a technological solution for CO2 fixation is subject to intense academic and industrial research. In the perspective of setting up massive cultures, the management of large quantities of residual biomass and the high amounts of fertilizers must be considered. Anaerobic digestion is a key process that can solve this waste issue as well as the economical and energetic balance of such a promising technology. Indeed, the conversion of algal biomass after lipid extraction into methane is a process that can recover more energy than the energy from the cell lipids. Three main bottlenecks are identified to digest microalgae. First, the biodegradability of microalgae can be low depending on both the biochemical composition and the nature of the cell wall. Then, the high cellular protein content results in ammonia release which can lead to potential toxicity. Finally, the presence of sodium for marine species can also affect the digester performance. Physico-chemical pretreatment, co-digestion, or control of gross composition are strategies that can significantly and efficiently increase the conversion yield of the algal organic matter into methane. When the cell lipid content does not exceed 40%, anaerobic digestion of the whole biomass appears to be the optimal strategy on an energy balance basis, for the energetic recovery of cell biomass. Lastly, the ability of these CO2 consuming microalgae to purify biogas and concentrate methane is discussed.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2009.03.001

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  • Anaerobic digestion produces methane gas while keeping the majority of nutrients in a bacterial slurry that can be used for algal fertilizer.

    “This bacterial process produces methane gas, while keeping the majority of the nutrients in a bacterial slurry that can be killed and the mix used for algal fertilizer.”

    From Biofuels from algae: Challenges and potential (2010) · cites this paper as [53]

  • One of the most promising techniques for recycling nutrients in algal ponds is anaerobic digestion.

    “One of the most promising techniques for recycling nutrients in algal ponds is to use anaerobic digestion [53].”

    From Biofuels from algae: Challenges and potential (2010) · cites this paper as [53]

  • If produced in high quantities, hemiterpenes and monoterpenes could function in current gasoline engines with only minor engine modifications.

    “If produced in high quantities, hemiterpenes (single isoprene units) and monoterpenes (C10H16) could function in current gasoline engines with only minor engine modifications [163]”

    From Biofuels from algae: Challenges and potential (2010) · cites this paper as [163]

  • With anaerobic digestion, all three fractions (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins) can be converted to CH4 gas.

    “with the use of anaerobic digestion all three fractions can be converted to CH4 gas (SERI 1984; Sialve et al. 2009).”

    From Renewable energy from Cyanobacteria: energy production optimization by metabolic pathway engineering (2011) · cites this paper as Sialve et al. 2009

  • When algae accumulate less than 40% of lipids, oil recovery results in 21% of the energetic value but the energetic costs of lipid recovery are higher than 30%.

    “Furthermore, when the algae accumulate less than 40% of lipids, the oil recovery results in a 21% of the energetic value but the energetic costs of lipid recovery involved are higher than 30% (Sialve et al. 2009).”

    From Renewable energy from Cyanobacteria: energy production optimization by metabolic pathway engineering (2011) · cites this paper as Sialve et al. 2009

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Authors
Sialve, B., Bernet, N., & Bernard, O.
Affiliations
Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (FR)
Corresponding author
Sialve, Bruno
ORCID
Venue
Biotechnology Advances
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2009-07
Volume
27
Issue
4
Pages
409-416
ISSN
0734-9750 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.biotechadv.2009.03.001
OpenAlex
W2154758621
Cited by
1,187
References
84
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 39 · 2023: 41 · 2022: 55 · 2021: 48 · 2020: 56 · 2019: 89 · 2018: 85 · 2017: 88 · 2016: 98 · 2015: 120 · 2014: 105 · 2013: 104 · 2012: 95
FWCI
8.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Biotechnology Advances (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Repository Technological University of Pereira (Technological University of Pereira) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • HAL (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • HAL (submittedVersion)
Funders
Agence Nationale de la Recherche
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Production
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
  • Physical Sciences › Chemical Engineering › Catalysis › Catalysts for Methane Reforming
Keywords
anaerobic digestion, microalgae, microalgae biodiesel, methane production, co-digestion, biodegradability, ammonia toxicity, sodium toxicity, marine microalgae, energy balance, biogas upgrading, CO2 fixation, algal cell wall
MeSH terms
Cyanobacteria, Anaerobiosis, Biodegradation, Environmental, Carbon Dioxide, Energy-Generating Resources, Methane, Sodium, Biomass, Lipid Metabolism, Eukaryota

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