Advantages and challenges of microalgae as a source of oil for biodiesel
Book
2011
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InTechOpen
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University of Cape Town
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Abstract
Microalgal oil is currently being considered as a promising alternative feedstock for
biodiesel. The present demand for oil for biofuel production greatly exceeds the supply,
hence alternative sources of biomass are required. Microalgae have several advantages over
land-based crops in terms of oil production. Their simple unicellular structure and high
photosynthetic efficiency allow for a potentially higher oil yield per area than that of the
best oilseed crops. Algae can be grown on marginal land using brackish or salt water and
hence do not compete for resources with conventional agriculture. They do not require
herbicides or pesticides and their cultivation could be coupled with the uptake of CO2 from
industrial waste streams, and the removal of excess nutrients from wastewater (Hodaifa et
al., 2008; An et al., 2003). In addition to oil production, potentially valuable co-products such
as pigments, antioxidants, nutraceuticals, fertilizer or feeds could be produced (Mata et al.,
2010; Rodolfi et al., 2009).
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Reference:
Griffiths, M. J., Dicks, R. G., Richardson, C., & Harrison, S. T. (2011). Advantages and challenges of microalgae as a source of oil for biodiesel. Biodisel–feedstocks and processing technologies, 177-200.