Biofuels made from algae are gaining attention as a domestic source of renewable fuel. However, with current technologies, scaling up production of algal biofuels to meet even 5 percent of U.S. transportation fuel needs could create unsustainable demands for energy, water, and nutrient resources. Continued research and development could yield innovations to address these challenges, but determining if algal biofuel is a viable fuel alternative will involve comparing the environmental, economic and social impacts of algal biofuel production and use to those associated with petroleum-based fuels and other fuel sources. Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels was produced at the request of the U.S. Department of Energy.
Designed as a text not only for students and researchers, but anyone interested in green technology, Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts offers the reader a vast overview of the state-of-the-art in renewable energies. The typical chapter sets out to explain the fundamentals of a new technology as well as providing its context in the greater field. With contributions from nearly 100 leading researchers across the globe, the text serves as an important and timely look into this rapidly expanding field. The 40 chapters that comprise Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts are handily organized into the following 8 sections: · Introduction and Brazil's biofuel success · Smokeless biomass pyrolysis for advanced biofuels production and global biochar carbon sequestration · Cellulosic Biofuels · Photobiological production of advanced biofuels with synthetic biology · Lipids-based biodiesels · Life-cycle energy and economics analysis · High-value algal products and biomethane · Electrofuels
Extensive effort is being made globally to develop various biofuels as an inexhaustible and renewable energy source. Biofuels are viewed as promising alternatives to conventional fossil fuels because they have the potential to eliminate major environmental problems such as global warming and climate change created by fossil fuels. Among the still-developing biofuel technologies, biodiesel production from algae offers a good prospect for large-scale practical use, considering the fact that algae are capable of producing much more yield than other biofuels such as corn and soybean crops. Although research on algae-based biofuel is still in its developing stage, extensive work on laboratory- and pilot-scale algae-harvesting systems with promising prospects has been reported. This chapter presents a discussion of the literature review of recent advances in algal biomass harvesting. The chapter focuses on stability and separability of algae and algae-harvesting methods. Challenges and prospects of algae harvesting are also outlined. The review aims to provide useful information for future development of efficient and commercially viable algal biodiesel production.
This book describes how microbes can be used as effective and sustainable resources to meet the current challenge of finding suitable and economical solutions for biopharmaceuticals, enzymes, food additives, nutraceuticals, value added biochemicals and microbial fuels, and discusses various aspects of microbial regulatory activity and its applications. It particularly focuses on the design, layout and other relevant issues in industrial microbe applications. Moreover, it discusses the entire microbial-product supply chain, from manufacturing sites to end users, both in domestic and international markets, providing insights into the global marketing of microbes and microbial biomass-derived products. Further, it includes topics concerning the effective production and utilization of eco-friendly biotechnology industries. It offers a valuable, ready-to-use guide for technologists and policymakers developing new biotechnologies.
This book examines the utilization of algae for the development of useful products and processes with the emphasis towards green technologies and processes, and the requirements to make these viable. Serving as a complete reference guide to the production of biofuels and other value added products from micro and macro algae, it covers various aspects of algal biotechnology from the basics to large scale cultivation, harvesting and processing for a variety of products. It is authored and edited by respected world experts in the field of algal biotechnology and provides the most up to date and cutting edge information on developments in the field. Over the past decade there has been substantial focus and related literature on the application of algal biomass for the generation of novel processes and products. ‘Algae Biotechnology: Products and Processes’ encompasses a holistic approach to critically evaluating developments in the field of algal biotechnology whilst taking into account recent advances and building on the body of knowledge. Aspects of the effects of harmful algae are also discussed, as well as the potential commercial application of algal biotechnology, the techno-economic feasibility of algal biodiesel production and the use of genetic and metabolic engineering for the improvement of yield. Other bioenergy sources such as alcohol fuels, aviation fuels, biohydrogen and biogas are also covered. This book is intended for postgraduates and researchers working in the biofuels and algal industry; it constitutes ideal reference material for both early stage and established researchers.
The utilization of various types of biomass residue to produce products such as biofuels and biochemicals means biorefinery technology using biomass residues may become a one-stop solution to the increasing need for sustainable, non-fossil sources of energy and chemicals.Refining Biomass Residues for Sustainable Energy and Bioproducts: Technology, Advances, Life Cycle Assessment and Economics focuses on the various biorefineries currently available and discusses their uses, challenges, and future developments. This book introduces the concept of integrated biorefinery systems, as well as their operation and feedstock sourcing. It explores the specificities, current developments, and potential end products of various types of residue, from industrial and municipal to agricultural and marine, as well as residue from food industries. Sustainability issues are discussed at length, including life cycle assessment, economics, and cost analysis of different biorefinery models. In addition, a number of global case studies examine successful experiences in different regions.This book is an ideal resource for researchers and practitioners in the field of bioenergy and waste management who are looking to learn about technologies involved in residue biorefinery systems, how to reduce their environmental impacts, and how to ensure their commercial viability. - Explores a range of different biorefinery categories, such as industrial, agricultural, and marine biomass residues - Includes a Life Cycle Assessment of biorefinery models, in addition to costs and market analysis. - Features case studies from around the world and is written by an international team of authors
Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering: Bioprocesses, Bioreactors and Controls provides extensive coverage of new developments, state-of-the-art technologies, and potential future trends, reviewing industrial biotechnology and bioengineering practices that facilitate and enhance the transition of processes from lab to plant scale, which is becoming increasingly important as such transitions continue to grow in frequency. Focusing on industrial bioprocesses, bioreactors for bioprocesses, and controls for bioprocesses, this title reviews industrial practice to identify bottlenecks and propose solutions, highlighting that the optimal control of a bioprocess involves not only maximization of product yield, but also taking into account parameters such as quality assurance and environmental aspects. - Describes industrial bioprocesses based on the reaction media - Lists the type of bioreactors used for a specific bioprocess/application - Outlines the principles of control systems in various bioprocesses
This book focuses on value addition to various waste streams, which include industrial waste, agricultural waste, and municipal solid and liquid waste. It addresses the utilization of waste to generate valuable products such as electricity, fuel, fertilizers, and chemicals, while placing special emphasis on environmental concerns and presenting a multidisciplinary approach for handling waste. Including chapters authored by prominent national and international experts, the book will be of interest to researchers, professionals and policymakers alike.
Microalgae are one of the most studied potential sources of biofuels and bioenergy. This book covers the key steps in the production of renewable biofuels from microalgae - strain selection, culture systems, inorganic carbon utilisation, lipid metabolism and quality, hydrogen production, genetic engineering, biomass harvesting, extraction. Greenhouse gas and techno-economic modelling are reviewed as is the 100 year history of microalgae as sources of biofuels and of commercial-scale microalgae culture. A summary of relevant basic standard methods used in the study of microalgae culture is provided. The book is intended for the expert and those starting work in the field.
Bioaffinity chromatography is now the preferred choice for the purification, determination or removal of many biologically active substances. The book includes information on biologically active substances with their affinants, solid supports and methods of coupling, summarized in tables covering classical, high-performance liquid and large-scale bioaffinity chromatography.Optimization of the preparation and the use of highly active and stable biospecific adsorbents is discussed in several chapters. Following a chapter dealing with the choice of affinity ligands, affinity-sorbent bonding is described in detail. Other chapters give information on solid supports, the most common coupling procedures and a general discussion of sorption and elution. Several applications of bioaffinity chromatography are described, e.g. quantitative evaluation of biospecific complexes and many applications in medicine and in the biotechnology industry.
