Algae as an alternative to the methods of production and use of conventional biomass (review article)

Abstract

Algae have been present in the water treatments technologies, food for animals makingprocesses or even for diet supplements production for many years now. Recent years, however, have brought a number of ideas and discoveries for a wider use of these autotrophs. Their use is related to the broadly understood environmental protection and many threads of combating climate change. Currently, one of the most common ways of using algae is the production of liquid biofuels of the 3 rd and 4 th generation and unconventional biomass generation. Biofuels obtained from algae, in addition to lower amounts of harmful substances contained in them, are often characterized by a negative emission balance. It is related to the fact that those organisms, being in an exponential growth phase, assimilate the carbon dioxideneeded for photosynthesis. The production of energy substances from algae and microalgae in the teeth of draining fossil fuel deposits and their destructive impact on the environment. That sooth combined with the ease and low cost of culture, condition they become a real alternative to existing energy sources. Unique properties of algae linked with the fact that they are among the best, known biological energy converters opens the way to a number of opportunities to use them in other economic sectors. Certainly, the technological revolution in the energy market in addition to the requirement to create the most efficient reactors, in-depth research on the properties of fuels and the producers themselves still needs to be regulated by law. Algae can be grown in polluted waters, and the energy raw materials produced from them are able to reach (without emission logistic costs) a negative balance of 𝐶𝑂2 emissions. This phenomenon and the fact that apart from fuels and biogas, they can be used for purposes such as carbon sequestration, creating energy biomass, medicines and dietary supplements, as well as food for animals, for example, the most reasonable choice would be to create advanced regulations regarding the closed- circuit policy in the energy sector, based precisely on biologically active organisms. This work focuses on gathering and presenting basic information regarding current technologies related to algae, their potential uses in the energy sector, and the long-term prospects for their development. It also takes into account the issues associated with the holistic nature of energy harvesting methods such as the one discussed. Key words: algae, bioeconomy, biofuels, biorefinery