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A Framework for Sustainable Design of Algal Biorefineries: Economic Aspects and Life Cycle Analysis

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Algal Biorefineries

Abstract

In this chapter, a framework for sustainable design of algal biorefineries with respect to economic and environmental objectives is presented. As part of the framework, a superstructure is formulated to represent the design space – describing technologies developed for processing various types of algae feedstock for the production of biodiesel and co-products. Relevant data and parameters for each process such as yield, conversion, operational cost is then collected using a standardized format (a generic model) and stored in a database. The sustainable design problem is then formulated mathematically as a mixed integer nonlinear programming problem, and is solved first to identify the optimal designs with respect to economic optimality. These optimal designs are then analyzed further in terms of environmental performance using life cycle analysis. For sustainability analysis, in total five impact categories are calculated including Photochemical oxidation potential (POP), global warming potential (GWP), aquatic ecotoxicity (EcotA), Carcinogenic emissions to urban air (EUAC), and median lethal dose (LD50). To add robustness to the analysis, the framework includes uncertainty analysis using Monte Carlo simulations as well. The application of the framework is highlighted on a case study focusing on feedstock microalgae cultivated in Raceway ponds to produce biodiesel. The framework with the database and superstructure provides an enabling tool to support systematic design and analysis of future and sustainable algal biorefinery concepts.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CAPEC-PROCESS, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Building 229, DK, 2800, Lyngby, Denmark

    Peam Cheali, Carina Gargalo, Krist V Gernaey & Gürkan Sin

Authors
  1. Peam Cheali
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  2. Carina Gargalo
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  3. Krist V Gernaey
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  4. Gürkan Sin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gürkan Sin .

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

AHTL :

Algae hydrothermal liquefaction

CAPEX :

Capital Investment

CDF :

Cumulative distribution function

CF :

Characterization factor

CTUe :

Comparative toxic units

EBITDA :

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization

EcotA :

Aquatic ecotoxicity

EPA :

Environmental protection agency

EUA C :

Carcinogenic emissions to urban air

EVPI :

Expected value of perfect information

GAMS :

General algebraic modeling system

GWP :

Global warming potential

IRR :

Internal rate of return

LD 50 :

Median lethal dose

MI(N)LP :

Mixed integer (non)-linear programming

MM$/a :

Million dollar per year

NPV :

Net present value

PAF :

Potential affected fraction

PEI :

Potential environmental impact

POP :

Photochemical oxidation potential

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Cheali, P., Gargalo, C., Gernaey, K.V., Sin, G. (2015). A Framework for Sustainable Design of Algal Biorefineries: Economic Aspects and Life Cycle Analysis. In: Prokop, A., Bajpai, R., Zappi, M. (eds) Algal Biorefineries. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20200-6_17

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