Biotech Updates

Life-Cycle-Assessment Studies for Pond-Microalgae-based Biodiesel Production

October 22, 2010
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V24-50F369X-F&_user=9570260&_coverDate=01%2F31%2F2011&_rdoc=9&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_origin=browse&_zone=rslt_list_item&_srch=doc-info%28%23toc%235692%232011%23998979998%232461752%23FLA%23display%23Volume%29&_cdi=5692&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=61&_acct=C000061230&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=9570260&md5=ad6fc33b0cf4ee080ff0295c3d0341d3&searchtype=a (full access to article may require paid subscription)

Australian researchers from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), report the comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study for the production of biodiesel from pond-grown microalgae. The LCA study was done on a "notional production system designed for Australian conditions, in order to analyze the potential environmental impacts and economic viability of the process, in comparison with other biodiesel production schemes (i.e. canola or ultra-low-sulfur biodiesel (ULSL)). Results showed that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from microalgae biodiesel production "compares favorably" with canola biodiesel and ULSL diesel. However, microalgal biodiesel production cost is still relatively unfavorable, and the need to improve production rates was highlighted. The complete study is published in the BioResource Technology journal (URL above).