Optimization of Microalgae Composition for Development of a Topology of Biorefinery Based on Profitability Analysis

Microalgae are considered promising candidates for the development of biorefineries due to the variety of metabolites such as carbohydrates, lipids, pigments, proteins and other special substances that are produced in different proportions, which can be extracted and/or transformed to obtain marketable products and energy. In this work, an analysis of the potentially obtainable products in a biorefinery from microalgae was performed, based on the optimization of the percentage of metabolites, taking into account techno-economic issues in order to rank obtainable products according to the minimum feedstock composition required; considering biofuels as main products, production capacity and raw material cost were set in 100,000 ton of biomass/year and $500/ton respectively. Results confirms the economic unsustainability of exclusive production of a biofuel from microalgae under feedstock and production costs evaluated, being the minimum attractive oil composition over 100%; but the valuable substances generates positive income as pigments and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with minimum profitable composition of 4.87% and 9.67% respectively.

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