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Algae-Based Wastewater Treatment for Biofuel Production: Processes, Species, and Extraction Methods

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Biomass and Biofuels from Microalgae

Part of the book series: Biofuel and Biorefinery Technologies ((BBT,volume 2))

Abstract

This chapter develops the principles and rationale for an algae-based biofuel production coupled to bioremediation of municipal and agricultural wastewaters . A synergistic model for algal wastewater treatment is proposed, which addresses several economic bottlenecks to earlier algal systems and promotes value-added products, including a high-quality effluent in addition to biodiesel to improve the economic feasibility of algal biofuels . Finally, we review candidate species for full-scale algae production ponds based on algal structure, physiology and ecology , and methods for extraction of algal oils for biodiesel production and coproducts. The dominant strains of algae that are commonly found in wastewater ponds, including  Euglenia , Scenedesmus , Selenastrum , Chlorella, and  Actinastrum , are suggested as candidates for large-scale culturing based on their ability to strip nutrients and organic matter from wastewater , grow rapidly, and produce a significant level of algal oil. Oil extraction by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is discussed as an efficient means of isolating algal oil and other commercially important high-value compounds from algal biomass . Together with water and CO2 reclamation, such products may shift the economics of algal biomass production to allow production of low-value commodities including biodiesel and biogas.

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Acknowledgment

H. Ahmadzadeh thanks ATF Committee for the financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. AlgaXperts, LLC, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Stephen R. Lyon

  2. Department of Chemistry, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

    Hossein Ahmadzadeh

  3. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, USA

    Marcia A. Murry

  4. Sinai Technology Corporation, Los Angeles, MI, USA

    Marcia A. Murry

Authors
  1. Stephen R. Lyon
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  2. Hossein Ahmadzadeh
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  3. Marcia A. Murry
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hossein Ahmadzadeh .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Algae R&D Centre, Murdoch University, Murdoch, West Australia, Australia

    Navid R. Moheimani

  2. School of Engineering and Information Technology, Murdoch University, Murdoch, West Australia, Australia

    Mark P. McHenry

  3. School of Engineering and Information Technology, Murdoch University, Murdoch, West Australia, Australia

    Karne de Boer

  4. School of Engineering and Information Technology, Murdoch University, Murdoch, West Australia, Australia

    Parisa A. Bahri

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Lyon, S.R., Ahmadzadeh, H., Murry, M.A. (2015). Algae-Based Wastewater Treatment for Biofuel Production: Processes, Species, and Extraction Methods. In: Moheimani, N., McHenry, M., de Boer, K., Bahri, P. (eds) Biomass and Biofuels from Microalgae. Biofuel and Biorefinery Technologies, vol 2. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16640-7_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16640-7_6

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