Harnessing algal biomass for renewable energy and biofuel production: Current strategies and future insights

Abstract

The energy crisis and environmental complications worldwide are due to the depletion of fossil fuels. The continuous utilization of fossil fuels leads to air pollution, emission of greenhouse gases and global warming. Biofuels are promising alternatives to fossil fuels and are eco-friendly. Besides using agricultural raw materials, algal biomass is a neutral alternative in several aspects. Due to its chemical constituents and sustainability, algae are a pivotal and scalable feedstock for biorefineries. This review evaluates the potential of using algal biomass to produce a variety of biofuels such as biodiesel, hydrogen, ethanol and butanol. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of algal biomass sources and cultivation systems such as open ponds, photobioreactors and hybrid systems. The conversion technologies of algal biomass to biofuel, along with the factors influencing both the conversion process and the cultivation system, are critically discussed. The application of algal biomass to the production of biofuels was also examined and presented. The challenges faced in replacing fossil fuels with algal biofuels and the future directions need further attention. Future research should aim at increasing the economic viability, yield and quality of the algal biomass-derived biofuel.

Keywords: Algal biomass; Biofuel; Fossil fuel; Photobioreactor; Renewable.