Techno-economic assessment of the sustainability of an integrated biorefinery from microalgae and Jatropha: A review and case study

Abstract

In this paper, a detailed review on the recent advances in the production of biofuels and biochemicals from microalgae and Jatropha is presented. This review includes critical elements of the sustainability of microalgae and Jatropha biorefineries such as technical analysis, socioeconomic considerations, and environmental impact assessments that are reported in recent studies. The integration of microalgae and Jatropha as viable feedstock for the production of biofuels and biochemicals which may serve as sustainable alternatives to fossils fuels and petrochemicals is also modeled using SuperPro designer. A technoeconomic assessment of the integrated biorefinery is carried out. United Arab Emirates (UAE) is considered as a geographical reference for the technoeconomic assessment. Three scenarios are examined. All scenarios involve the production of biodiesel and glycerol. In addition to these two products, the production of animal feed, organic fertilizer and biogas is considered in scenario 1. In scenario 2, the biorefinery products include bioethanol, organic fertilizer and biogas. Scenario 3 involves the production of hydrogen and animal feed. Scenario 1 is the base case, with which other scenarios are compared. Scenario 1 is profitable but scenarios 2 and 3 are not profitable. In addition, emissions from scenario 2 make it less attractive when it is compared to other scenarios. The integrated biorefinery with microalgae and Jatropha as feedstock is technically feasible and economically profitable in scenario 1, as modeled.