Comparative energy life-cycle analyses of microalgal biomass production in open ponds and photobioreactors

An analysis of the energy life-cycle for production of biomass using the oil-rich microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. was performed, which included both raceway ponds, tubular and flat-plate photobioreactors for algal cultivation. The net energy ratio (NER) for each process was calculated. The results sh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bioresource technology 2010-02, Vol.101 (4), p.1406-1413
Main Authors: Jorquera, Orlando, Kiperstok, Asher, Sales, Emerson A., Embiruçu, Marcelo, Ghirardi, Maria L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Biological and medical sciences
Biomass
bioreactors
Bioreactors - microbiology
Crude oil
Cultivation
Economics
Energy
energy metabolism
Energy use
Eukaryota - growth & development
Eukaryota - radiation effects
Eustigmatophyceae
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Life-cycle analysis
Light
Lipids
Mathematical analysis
Microalgae
Nannochloropsis
Oil production
Photobioreactors
Ponds
renewable energy sources
Thermodynamics
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Summary:An analysis of the energy life-cycle for production of biomass using the oil-rich microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. was performed, which included both raceway ponds, tubular and flat-plate photobioreactors for algal cultivation. The net energy ratio (NER) for each process was calculated. The results showed that the use of horizontal tubular photobioreactors (PBRs) is not economically feasible ([NER] < 1) and that the estimated NERs for flat-plate PBRs and raceway ponds is >1. The NER for ponds and flat-plate PBRs could be raised to significantly higher values if the lipid content of the biomass were increased to 60% dw/cwd. Although neither system is currently competitive with petroleum, the threshold oil cost at which this would occur was also estimated.
ISSN:0960-8524
1873-2976
DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2009.09.038