Bioethanol from Spirulina platensis biomass and the use of residuals to produce biomethane: An energy efficient approach

Abstract

This study aimed to produce bioethanol using Spirulina platensis biomass and the use of saccharification and fermentation wastes of bioethanol production to produce biomethane. The potential for energy generation in each technological route was quantified. Both, the enzymatic hydrolysis of the microalgae polysaccharides and the fermentation process, presented efficiencies above 80%. The fermentation of the hydrolyzate into ethanol was possible without the addition of synthetic nutrients to the must. The direct conversion of Spirulina biomass to biomethane had an energy potential of 16,770 kJ.kg−1, while bioethanol production from the hydrolysed biomass presented 4,664 kJ.kg−1. However, the sum of the energy potential obtained by producing bioethanol followed by the production of biomethane with the saccharification and fermentation residues was 13,945 kJ.kg−1. Despite this, the same raw material was able to produce both biofuels, demonstrating that Spirulina microalgae is a promising alternative to contribute in the field of renewable energies.