1. Anaerobic digestion of microalgal biomass: Challenges, opportunities and research needs
- Author
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Cristina González-Fernández, Beatriz Molinuevo-Salces, Bruno Sialve, Instituto IMDEA Energía, Laboratoire de Biotechnologie de l'Environnement [Narbonne] (LBE), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier (Montpellier SupAgro), Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro)-Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro), Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness ENE2013-45416-R RYC-2014-16823, and People Programme (Marie Curie Actions) of the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme under REA grant 291803
- Subjects
anaerobic digestion ,Engineering ,Environmental Engineering ,Resource (biology) ,carboxylate ,[SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio] ,Biomass ,Bioengineering ,cyanobacteria ,7. Clean energy ,12. Responsible consumption ,Biogas ,Bioenergy ,Anaerobiosis ,Waste Management and Disposal ,Waste management ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,business.industry ,Hydrolysis ,methane ,microalgae ,General Medicine ,Biorefinery ,Renewable energy ,Anaerobic digestion ,13. Climate action ,Biofuel ,Biofuels ,[SDE]Environmental Sciences ,business - Abstract
International audience; Integration of anaerobic digestion (AD) with microalgae processes has become a key topic to support economic and environmental development of this resource. Compared with other substrates, microalgae can be produced close to the plant without the need for arable lands and be fully integrated within a biorefinery. As a limiting step, anaerobic hydrolysis appears to be one of the most challenging steps to reach a positive economic balance and to completely exploit the potential of microalgae for biogas and fertilizers production. This review covers recent investigations dealing with microalgae AD and highlights research opportunities and needs to support the development of this resource. Novel approaches to increase hydrolysis rate, the importance of the reactor design and the noteworthiness of the microbial anaerobic community are addressed. Finally, the integration of AD with microalgae processes and the potential of the carboxylate platform for chemicals and biofuels production are reviewed.
- Published
- 2015
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