Microalgal biomass production pathways: evaluation of life cycle environmental impacts.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Microalgae are touted as an attractive alternative to traditional forms of biomass for biofuel production, due to high productivity, ability to be cultivated on marginal lands, and potential to utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial flue gas. This work examines the fossil energy return on investment (EROIfossil), greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and direct Water Demands (WD) of producing dried algal biomass through the cultivation of microalgae in Open Raceway Ponds (ORP) for 21 geographic locations in the contiguous United States (U.S.). For each location, comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) is performed for multiple microalgal biomass production pathways, consisting of a combination of cultivation and harvesting options.

Results

Results indicate that

SUBMITTER: Zaimes GG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3693881 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature