Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Conversion of Microalgae Bio-oil into Bio-diesel

  • Chapter
Algal Biorefineries

Abstract

Microalgae are attracting worldwide attention as an alternative and renewable source for energy production. Microalgae, thanks to their high content in oil, can be used to produce many different kinds of biofuels such as biodiesel and jet fuels through various conversion technologies. This chapter aims to present an overview of the current thermochemical conversion technologies using microalgae with a specific emphasis on the conversion of algae into bio-oils by pyrolysis and their upgrading to biodiesel and jet fuel by catalytic pyrolysis and hydrotreating.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Araujo GS et al (2011) Bioprospecting for oil producing microalgal strains: evaluation of oil and biomass production for ten microalgal strains. Bioresour Technol 102(8):5248–5250

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Babich IV, van der Hulst M, Lefferts L, Moulijn JA, O’Connor P, Seshan K (2011) Catalytic pyrolysis of microalgae to high-quality liquid bio-fuels. Biomass Bioenerg 35:3199–3207

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bae YJ, Ryu C, Jeon J-K, Park J, Suh DJ, Suh Y-W, Park Y-K (2011) The characteristics of bio-oil produced from the pyrolysis of three marine macroalgae. Bioresour Technol 102(3):3512–3520

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Biller P, Ross AB (2011) Potential yields and properties of oil from the hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgae with different biochemical content. Bioresour Technol 102:215–225

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brennan L, Owende P (2010) Biofuels from microalgae—a review of technologies for production, processing, and extractions of biofuels and co-products. Renew Sust Energ Rev 14(2):557–577

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bridgwater AV (2012) Review of fast pyrolysis of biomass and product upgrading. Biomass Bioenerg 38:68–94

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chaiwong K, Kiatsiriroat T, Vorayos N, Thararax C (2013) Study of bio-oil and bio-char production from algae by slow pyrolysis. Biomass Bioenerg 56:600–606

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chakinala AG, Brilman DWF(W), van Swaaij WPM, Kersten SRA (2010) Catalytic and non-catalytic supercritical water gasification of microalgae and glycerol. Ind Eng Chem Res 49(3):1113–1122

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen WT, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Yu G, Schideman LC, Zhang P, Minarick M (2014) Hydrothermal liquefaction of mixed-culture algal biomass from wastewater treatment system into bio-crude oil. Bioresour Technol 152:130–139

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De la Hoz Siegler H et al (2011) The dynamics of heterotrophic algal cultures. Bioresour Technol 102(10):5764–5774

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DemirbaÅŸ A (2006) Oily products from mosses and algae via pyrolysis. Energ Source Part A 28(10):933–940

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demirbas MF (2011) Biofuels from algae for sustainable development. Appl Energ 88(10):3473–3480

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dickerson T, Soria J (2013) Catalytic fast pyrolysis: a review. Energies 6(1):514–538

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dillon H (2009) Algae: fuel of the future? Environ Sci Technol 10:7160–7161

    Google Scholar 

  • Dong X, Chen Z, Xue S, Zhang J, Zhou J, Liu Y, Liu Z (2013) Catalytic pyrolysis of microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa for production of ethylene, propylene and butene. RSC Adv 3(48):25780

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dote Y, Sawayama S, Inoue S, Minowa T, Yokoyama S (1994) Recovery of liquid fuel from hydrocarbon-rich microalgae by thermochemical liquefaction. Fuel 73:1855–1857

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Du Z (2013) Thermochemical conversion of microalgae for biofuel production. Published doctoral dissertation, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

    Google Scholar 

  • Du Z, Ma X, Li Y, Chen P, Liu Y, Lin X, Ruan R (2013) Production of aromatic hydrocarbons by catalytic pyrolysis of microalgae with zeolites: catalyst screening in a pyroprobe. Bioresour Technol 139:397–401

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duan P, Savage PE (2011a) Catalytic hydrotreatment of crude algal bio-oil in supercritical water. Appl Catal B-Environ 104:136–143

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duan P, Savage PE (2011b) Catalytic treatment of crude algal bio-oil in supercritical water: optimization studies. Sus World 4(4):1447

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duan P, Savage PE (2011c) Hydrothermal liquefaction of a microalga with heterogeneous catalysts. Ind Eng Chem Res 50(1):52–61

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott DC (2007) Historical developments in hydroprocessing bio-oils. Energ Fuel 21:1792–1815

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott DC, Hart TR, Schmidt AJ, Neuenschwander GG, Rotness LJ, Olarte MV, Holladay JE (2013) Process development for hydrothermal liquefaction of algae feedstocks in a continuous-flow reactor. Algal Res 2:445–454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • French R, Czernik S (2010) Catalytic pyrolysis of biomass for biofuels production. Fuel Process Technol 91(1):25–32

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia Alba L, Torri C, Fabbri D, Kersten SRA, (Wim) Brilman DWF (2013) Microalgae growth on the aqueous phase from hydrothermal liquefaction of the same microalgae. Chem Eng J 228:214–223

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He Z, Wang X (2012) Hydrodeoxygenation of model compounds and catalytic systems for pyrolysis bio-oils upgrading. Catal Sus Energ 1:28–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Hillen LW, Pollard G, Wake LV, White N (1982) Hydrocracking of the oils of Botryococcus braunii to transport fuel. Biotechnol Bioeng XXIV:193–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huber GW, Iborra S, Corma A (2006) Synthesis of transportation fuels from biomass: chemistry, catalysts, and engineering. Chem Rev 106:4044–4098

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jahirul M, Rasul M, Chowdhury A, Ashwath N (2012) Biofuels production through biomass pyrolysis—A technological review. Energy 5(12):4952–5001

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Z, Savage PE (2013) Feedstocks for fuels and chemicals from algae: treatment of crude bio-oil over HZSM-5. Algal Res 2(2):154–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lupton FS (2012) The refining of algal oil into fungible transportation fuels. Biomass Magazine, March 19. http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/7672/the-refining-of-algal-oils-into-fungible-transportation-fuels

  • Luque R (2010) Fuels of the future. Energy Environ Sci 3(3):253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mandal S, Mallick N (2009) Microalga Scenedesmus obliquus as a potential source for biodiesel production. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 84(2):281–291

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McKendry P (2002) Energy production from biomass (part 2): conversion technologies. Bioresour Technol 83:47–54

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miao X, Wu Q (2004) High yield bio-oil production from fast pyrolysis by metabolic controlling of Chlorella protothecoides. J Biotechnol 110(1):85–93

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miao X, Wu Q, Yang C (2004) Fast pyrolysis of microalgae to produce renewable fuels. J Anal Appl Pyrol 71:855–863

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pan P, Hu C, Yang W, Li Y, Dong L, Zhu L, Fan Y (2010) The direct pyrolysis and catalytic pyrolysis of Nannochloropsis sp. residue for renewable bio-oils. Bioresour Technol 101:4593–4599

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peng W, Wu Q, Tu P (2000) Effects of temperature and holding time on production of renewable fuels from pyrolysis of Chlorella protothecoides. J Appl Phycol 12(2):147–152

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson AA, Vogel F, Lachance RP, Fröling M, Antal MJ Jr, Tester JW (2008) Thermochemical biofuel production in hydrothermal media: a review of sub- and supercritical water technologies. Energy Environ Sci 1(1):32

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phukan MM, Chutia RS, Konwar BK, Kataki R (2011) Microalgae chlorella as a potential bio-energy feedstock. Appl Energ 88(10):3307–3312

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pragya N, Pandey KK, Sahoo PK (2013) A review on harvesting, oil extraction and biofuels production technologies from microalgae. Renew Sust Energ Rev 24:159–171

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sanna A (2013) Advanced biofuels from thermochemical processing of sustainable biomass in Europe. Bioenerg Res 7(1):36–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sawangkeaw R, Ngamprasertsith S (2013) A review of lipid-based biomasses as feedstocks for biofuels production. Renew Sust Energ Rev 25:97–108

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Serrano-ruiz JC, Dumesic JA (2012) Catalysis for alternative energy generation. Springer, New York, pp 29–57

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma YC, Singh B, Korstad J (2011) A critical review on recent methods used for economically viable and eco-friendly development of microalgae as a potential feedstock for synthesis of biodiesel. Green Chem 13(11):2993

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi F, Wang P, Duan Y, Link D, Morreale B (2012) Recent developments in the production of liquid fuels via catalytic conversion of microalgae: experiments and simulations. RSC Adv 2(26):9727

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh J, Gu S (2010) Commercialization potential of microalgae for biofuels production. Renew Sust Energ Rev 14(9):2596–2610

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Suali E, Sarbatly R (2012) Conversion of microalgae to biofuel. Renew Sust Energ Rev 16(6):4316–4342

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thangalazhy-Gopakumar S, Adhikari S, Chattanathan SA, Gupta RB (2012) Catalytic pyrolysis of green algae for hydrocarbon production using H+ZSM-5 catalyst. Bioresour Technol 118:150–157

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tsukahara K, Sawayama S (2005) Liquid fuel production using microalgae. J Jpn Pet Inst 48(5):251–259

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vardon DR, Sharma BK, Scott J, Yu G, Wang Z, Schideman L, Strathmann TJ (2011) Chemical properties of biocrude oil from the hydrothermal liquefaction of Spirulina algae, swine manure, and digested anaerobic sludge. Bioresour Technol 102(17):8295–8303

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang K, Brown RC (2013) Catalytic pyrolysis of microalgae for production of aromatics and ammonia. Green Chem 15(3):675

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Williams PJLB, Laurens LML (2010) Microalgae as biodiesel & biomass feedstocks: review & analysis of the biochemistry, energetics & economics. Energ Environ Sci 3(5):554

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiu S, Shahbazi A (2012) Bio-oil production and upgrading research: a review. Renew Sust Energ Rev 16(7):4406–4414

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yusuf C (2007) Biodiesel from microalgae. Biotechnol Adv 25:294–306

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng Y, Zhao B, Zhu L, Tong D, Hu C (2013) Catalytic pyrolysis of natural algae from water blooms over nickel phosphide for high quality bio-oil production. RSC Adv 3(27):10806

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang H, Xiao R, Jin B, Xiao G, Chen R (2013) Biomass catalytic pyrolysis to produce olefins and aromatics with a physically mixed catalyst. Bioresour Technol 140:256–262

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao C, Brück T, Lercher JA (2013) Catalytic deoxygenation of microalgae oil to green hydrocarbons. Green Chem 15(7):1720

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Innovation in Carbon Capture and Storage (CICCS), School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering (IMPEE), Heriot-Watt University, EH14 4AS, Edinburgh, UK

    Aimaro Sanna & Nur Adilah Abd Rahman

Authors
  1. Aimaro Sanna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nur Adilah Abd Rahman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aimaro Sanna .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

    Aleš Prokop

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA

    Rakesh K. Bajpai

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA

    Mark E. Zappi

List of Acronyms

List of Acronyms

BTX:

Benzene, Toulene, Xylene

DHA:

Docosahexaenoic acid

EPA:

Eicosapentaenoic acid

HHV:

Higher heating value

HDO:

Hydro-deoxygenation

HTL:

Hydrothermal liquefaction

PAH:

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sanna, A., Abd Rahman, N.A. (2015). Conversion of Microalgae Bio-oil into Bio-diesel. In: Prokop, A., Bajpai, R., Zappi, M. (eds) Algal Biorefineries. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20200-6_16

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation