Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026
07:34
Author Spotlight: Scaling Microalgal Biotechnology for Enhanced Biomethane Production
Published on: March 22, 2024
3.4K
Biomethane from Short Rotation Forestry and Microalgal Open Ponds: System Modeling and Life Cycle Assessment.
Andrea Luca Tasca1, Riccardo Bacci di Capaci1, Leonardo Tognotti1
1Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Bioresource Technology
|November 24, 2018
Summary
Life Cycle Assessment of Short Rotation Forestry (SRF) and microalgae supply chains for biomethane production shows SRF has high electricity demands. Microalgae cultivation impacts stem from fertilizer production, suggesting recycling and wastewater integration for sustainability.
Area of Science:
- Biomass energy conversion
- Sustainable supply chain analysis
- Environmental impact assessment
Background:
- Biomethane production offers a renewable energy alternative.
- Short Rotation Forestry (SRF) and microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris) are investigated as biomass feedstocks.
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is crucial for evaluating environmental sustainability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the environmental impacts of SRF and microalgae supply chains for biomethane production.
- To identify key environmental hotspots in each supply chain.
- To propose mitigation strategies for reducing environmental burdens.
Main Methods:
- Process simulation of gasification (SRF) and anaerobic digestion (microalgae).
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) from biomass cultivation to biomethane upgrading.
- Environmental impact analysis, focusing on CO2 removal and other key indicators.
Main Results:
- Monoethanolamine absorption achieved the highest CO2 removal efficiency.
- SRF chain is significantly impacted by electricity requirements.
- Microalgae cultivation's main impacts arise from carbon dioxide and fertilizer production.
- CO2 capture and re-injection during upgrading can reduce atmospheric emissions by 8.53%.
Conclusions:
- Recycling unabsorbed fertilizers and integrating microalgae digestion into wastewater treatment are recommended.
- CO2 capture and re-injection offer a dual benefit of emission reduction and enhanced algal growth.
- Both SRF and microalgae present viable, yet distinct, pathways for sustainable biomethane production, requiring tailored environmental management.
Related Concept Videos
02:39The Angiosperm Life Cycle
72.5K
Plants have a life cycle split between two multicellular stages: a haploid stage—with cells containing one set of chromosomes—and a diploid stage—with cells containing two sets of chromosomes. The haploid stage is the gamete-producing gametophyte, and the diploid stage is the spore-producing sporophyte.
72.5K
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles
49.6K
Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
49.6K
02:42Half-life of a Reaction
39.0K
The half-life of a reaction (t1/2) is the time required for one-half of a given amount of reactant to be consumed. In each succeeding half-life, half of the remaining concentration of the reactant is consumed. For example, during the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, during the first half-life (from 0.00 hours to 6.00 hours), the concentration of H2O2 decreases from 1.000 M to 0.500 M. During the second half-life (from 6.00 hours to 12.00 hours), the concentration decreases from 0.500 M to...
39.0K
01:23Characteristics of Life
261.1K
Biology is a natural science that studies life and living organisms, including their structure, function, development, interactions, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. The field's scope is extensive and divided into several specialized disciplines, such as anatomy, physiology, ethology, genetics, and many more. All living things share a few key traits, including cellular organization, heritable genetic material and the ability to adapt/evolve, metabolism to regulate energy needs, the...
261.1K
02:40The Tree of Life - Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryotes
38.4K
The “tree of life” describes the evolution of life and the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The root of the tree is the common ancestor to all life on Earth. All other species radiate from this point, much like the branches of a tree. The numerous tips of these branches on the tree of life represent every living, or extant, species. Extinct species, which are species that no longer exist, can be found towards the center of the tree. Currently, these organisms, both...
38.4K
01:14The Carbon Cycle
43.8K
Carbon is the basis of all organic matter on Earth, and is recycled through the ecosystem in two primary processes: one in which carbon is exchanged among living organisms, and one in which carbon is cycled over long periods of time through fossilized organic remains, weathering of rocks, and volcanic activity. Human activities, including increased agricultural practices and the burning of fossil fuels, has greatly affected the balance of the natural carbon cycle.
43.8K