Review on possible algal-biofuel production processes

Abstract

One of the future-generation biofuel options that has recently recieved increased attention is the production of biofuels from microalgae. Besides the use of algae oil for physicochemical biodiesel production, biochemical and thermochemical pathways are possible. Although there is still a need to research algae production systems, downstream processing (e.g., biofuel production) needs to be researched in parallel. As there are several methods to produce biofuel from algae, different possible production processes are reviewed. By investigating the different steps of each of the processes and highlighting the challenges and risks that can occur, it is possible to make a decision regarding which pathway might be feasible for algal resources in the future.