Impact of microalgae characteristics on their conversion to biofuel. Part I: Focus on cultivation and biofuel production

Microalgae are now the focus of intensive research because of their potential as a renewable feedstock for biofuel production. This review briefly examines the effect of reactor design, nutrient, and light regimens on microalgae productivity and macromolecular composition. Downstream processing including common biofuel production as well as life cycle assessment and technoeconomical aspects are discussed. Even though algal biofuels are more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels, economical feasibility is a challenging issue. © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd

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