Is algae a second generation biofuel?

Microalgae have since been identified as a viable second-generation biofuels feedstock (Figure 10.1). The advantages of using microalgae for biofuel production in comparison with other available feedstocks have been extensively reported. FIGURE 10.1. The progression from first- to second-generation biofuels.

What are second-generation biofuels made from?

Second-generation biofuels are produced from nonfood crops including the waste from food crops, agricultural residue, wood chips, and waste cooking oil [14]. Second-generation biofuel feedstock is the nonedible byproduct of food crops.

What is the difference between first and second-generation biofuels?

First-generation biofuels are produced from crops directly from the fields, such as cereals, maize, sugar beet and cane, and rapeseed. In Europe rapeseed oil is primarily used for biodiesel. Second-generation biofuels are produced from residual and waste products from, for example, industry and households.

What type of algae is best for biofuel?

unicellular green algae
Highest-yielding algae. The algae used in biodiesel production are usually aquatic unicellular green algae (Chlorophyceae). This type of algae is a photosynthetic eukaryote characterized by high growth rates and high population densities. Under good conditions, green algae can double its biomass in less than 24 hours.

What are second generation biofuels?

Second Generation Biofuels: High-Efficiency Microalgae for Biodiesel Production … The use of fossil fuels is now widely accepted as unsustainable due to depleting resources and the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the environment that have already exceeded the “dangerously high” threshold of 450 ppm CO 2 -e.

Can algae-based biofuels meet the global demand for transport fuels?

Increasing biofuel production on arable land could have severe consequences for global food supply. In contrast, producing biodiesel from algae is widely regarded as one of the most efficient ways of generating biofuels and also appears to represent the only current renewable source of oil that could meet the global demand for transport fuels.

How much food supply do microalg al biofuels have?

Microalg al biofuels ar e also likely to have 38 Bioenerg. Res. (2008) 1:20 – 43 food supply than co nvention al biofuel- producing cr ops.

What technologies are used in algae biodiesel production?

The development of the technologies for high efficiency algal biodiesel production is also applicable to biohydrogen, biogas, bioethanol and biomass-to-liquid (BTL) approaches using fast growing algae. BTL, biohydrogen and biomethane processes are discussed below as they are especially pertinent to microalgal system.