Comparing the potential production and value of high-energy liquid fuels and protein from marine and freshwater macroalgae

N Neveux; M Magnusson; T Maschmeyer; R de Nys; Nicholas A Paul

doi:10.1111/gcbb.12171

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Comparing the potential production and value of high-energy liquid fuels and protein from marine and freshwater macroalgae

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Comparing the potential production and value of high-energy liquid fuels and protein from marine and freshwater macroalgae

N Neveux, M Magnusson, T Maschmeyer, R de Nys and Nicholas A Paul

GCB Bioenergy, Vol.7(4), pp.673-689

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12171

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Abstract

algae

amino acid

biocrude

biodiesel

hydrothermal liquefaction

productivity

protein

seaweed

value

derbesia

oedogonium

The biomass production and biochemical properties of marine and freshwater species of green macroalgae (multicellular algae), cultivated in outdoor conditions, were evaluated to assess the potential conversion into high-energy liquid biofuels, specifically biocrude and biodiesel and the value of these products. Biomass productivities were typically two times higher for marine macroalgae (8.5-11.9 g m-2 d-1, dry weight) than for freshwater macroalgae (3.4-5.1 g m-2 d-1, dry weight). The biochemical compositions of the species were also distinct, with higher ash content (25.5-36.6%) in marine macroalgae and higher calorific value (15.8-16.4 MJ kg-1) in freshwater macroalgae. Lipid content was highest for freshwater Oedogonium and marine Derbesia. Lipids are a critical organic component for biocrude production by hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) and the theoretical biocrude yield was therefore highest for Oedogonium (17.7%, dry weight) and Derbesia (16.2%, dry weight). Theoretical biocrude yields were also higher than biodiesel yields for all species due to the conversion of the whole organic component of biomass, including the predominant carbohydrate fraction. However, all marine species had higher biomass productivities and therefore had higher projected biocrude productivities than freshwater species, up to 7.1 t of biocrude ha-1 yr-1 for Derbesia. The projected value of the six macroalgae was increased by 45-77% (up to US$7700 ha-1 yr-1) through the extraction of protein prior to the conversion of the residual biomass to biocrude. This study highlights the importance of optimizing biomass productivities for high-energy fuels and targeting additional coproducts to increase value. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Details

Title: Comparing the potential production and value of high-energy liquid fuels and protein from marine and freshwater macroalgae
Authors: N Neveux (Author) - James Cook University
M Magnusson (Author) - James Cook University
T Maschmeyer (Author) - University of Sydney
R de Nys (Author) - James Cook University
Nicholas A Paul (Author) - James Cook University
Publication details: GCB Bioenergy, Vol.7(4), pp.673-689
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Date published: 2015
DOI: 10.1111/gcbb.12171
ISSN: 1757-1693
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450589002621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Agronomy; Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology; Energy & Fuels; Environmental Sciences

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