| Peer-Reviewed

Biological Purification Processes for Biogas Using Algae Cultures: A Review

Received: 14 November 2014    Accepted: 19 November 2014    Published: 11 January 2015
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

Bioenergy is a type of renewable energy made from biological sources including algae, trees, or waste from agriculture, wood processing, food materials, and municipalities. Currently, the uses of renewable fuels (bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas and hydrogen) are increased in the transport sector worldwide. From an environmental and resource-efficiency perspective biogas has several advantages in comparison to other biofuels. The main components of biogas are methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), but usually biogas also contains hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and other sulphur compounds, water, other trace gas compounds and other impurities. Purification and upgrading of the gas is necessary because purified biogas provides reductions in green house gas emissions as well as several other environmental benefits when used as a vehicle fuel. Reducing CO2 and H2S content will significantly improve the quality of biogas. Various technologies have been developed and available for biogas impurity removal; these include absorption by chemical solvents, physical absorption, cryogenic separation, membrane separation and biological or chemical methods. Since physiochemical methods of removal are expensive and environmentally hazardous, and biological processes are environmentally friendly and feasible. Furthermore, algae are abundant and omnipresent. Biogas purification using algae involved the use of algae’s photosynthetic ability in the removal of the impurities present in biogas. This review is aimed at presenting the algal characteristics, scientific approach, gather and clearly explain the main methods used to clean and purify biogas, increasing the calorific value of biogas and making this gas with characteristics closest as possible to natural gas through algae biological purification processes.

Published in International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy (Volume 4, Issue 1-1)

This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Applications in the Agricultural Field and Natural Resource Technology

DOI 10.11648/j.ijrse.s.2015040101.14
Page(s) 20-32
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Algae, Biogas, Biological Purification, Renewable Energy

References
[1] C. S. Jones, S. P. Mayfield, “Algae biofuels: versatility for the future of bioenergy”, Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 2012, 23: 346–351.
[2] P. J. Meynell, “Methane: planning a digester”, New York: Schocken Books, 1976.
[3] A. Demirbas, “Biofuels sources, biofuel policy, biofuel economy and global biofuel projections”, Energy Conversion and Management, 2008, 49: 2106–2116.
[4] N. Dussadee, K. Reansuwan, R. Ramaraj, “Potential development of compressed bio-methane gas production from pig farms and elephant grass silage for transportation in Thailand”, Bioresource Technology, 2014, 155: 438–441.
[5] G. Lastella, C. Testa, G. Cornacchia, M. Notornicola, F. Voltasio, V. K. Sharma, “Anaerbic digestion of semi-solid organic waste: biogas production and its purification”, Energy Conversion and Management, 2002, 43: 63–75.
[6] B. E. Rittmann, “Opportunities for renewable bioenergy using microorganisms”, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2008, 100, 203–212.
[7] E. Stephens, I. L. Ross, Z. King, J. H. Mussgnug, O. Kruse, C. Posten, M. A. Borowitzka, B. Hankamer, “An economic and technical evaluation of microalgal biofuels”, Nature Biotechnology, 2010, 28, 126–128.
[8] J. H. Mussgnug, V. Klassen, A. Schlüter, O. Kruse, “Microalgae as substrates for fermentative biogas production in a combined biorefinery concept”, Journal of Biotechnology, 2010, 150:51–56.
[9] E. Ryckebosch, M. Drouillon, H. Vervaeren, “Techniques for Transformation of Biogas to Biomethane”, Journal of Biomass and Bioenergy, 2011, 35: 1633–1645.
[10] C. Y. Kao, S. Y. Chiu, T. T. Huang, L. Dai, G. H. Wang, C. P. Tseng, C. H. Chen, C. S. Lin, “A mutant strain of microalga Chlorella sp. for the carbon dioxide capture from biogas”, Biomass and Bioenergy, 2012, 36: 132–140.
[11] N. Abatzoglou, S. A Boivin, “A review of biogas purification processes”, Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining, 2009, 3: 42–71.
[12] R. Ramaraj, D. D-W. Tsai, P. H. Chen, “Freshwater microalgae niche of air carbon dioxide mitigation”, Ecological Engineering, 2014; 68: 47–52.
[13] R. Ramaraj, Freshwater microalgae growth and Carbon dioxide Sequestration, Taichung, Taiwan, National Chung Hsing University, PhD thesis, 2013.
[14] R. Ramaraj, D. D-W. Tsai, P. H. Chen, “Algae Growth in Natural Water Resources”, Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 2010, 42: 439–450.
[15] R. Ramaraj, D. D-W. Tsai, P. H. Chen, “Chlorophyll is not accurate measurement for algal biomass”, Chiang Mai Journal of Science, 2013, 40: 547–555.
[16] R. Ramaraj, D. D-W. Tsai, P. H. Chen, “An exploration of the relationships between microalgae biomass growth and related environmental variables”, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 2014, 135: 44–47.
[17] C. Vílchez, I. Garbayo, M. V. Lobato, J. M. Vega, “Microalgae-mediated chemicals production and waste removal. Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 1997, 20: 562–572.
[18] W. J. Oswald, “My sixty years in applied algology”, Journal of Applied Phycology, 2003, 15: 99–106.
[19] L. E. Graham, L. W. Wilcox, “Algae”, Prentice Hall Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 2000.
[20] D. D-W. Tsai, Watershed Reactor Analysis, CO2 Eco-function and Threshold Management Study, Taichung, Taiwan, National Chung Hsing University, PhD thesis, 2012.
[21] T. Driver, A. Bajhaiya,J. K. Pittman, “Potential of Bioenergy Production from Microalgae”, Current Sustainable/Renewable Energy Reports, 2014, 1: 94-103.
[22] L. Yang, Ge. Xumeng, C. Wan, F. Yu, Y. Li, “Progress and perspectives in converting biogas to transportation fuels”, Renewable & Sustainable Energy, 2014, 40: 1133–1152.
[23] K. W. Gellenbeck, D. J. Chapman, “Seaweed uses: the outlook for mariculture”, Endeavour, 1983, 7: 31–37.
[24] A. B. Ross, J. M. Jones, M. L. Kubacki, “Since macroalgae are again receiving attention as a substrate for anaerobic digestion”, Bioresource Technology, 2008, 99: 6494–6504.
[25] D. P. Chynoweth, D. L. Klass, S. Ghosh, “Anaerobic digestion of kelp”, In Biomass conversion processes for energy and fuels, Edited by Sofer SS, Zaborsky OR. New York: Plenum Press; 1981: 315–318.
[26] A. D. Hughes, M. S. Kelly, K.D. Black, M. S. Stanley, “Biogas from Macroalgae: is it time to revisit the idea?”, Biotechnology for Biofuels, 2012, 5: 86.
[27] A. Vergara-Fernàndez, G. Vargas, N. Alarcon, A. Antonio, “Evaluation of marine algae as a source of biogas in a two-stage anaerobic reactor system”, Biomass & Bioenergy, 2008, 32: 338–344.
[28] J. Singh, S. Gu, “Commercialization potential of microalgae for biofuels production”, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2010, 14: 2596–2610.
[29] A. Parmar, N. K Singh, A. Pandey, E. Gnansounou, D. Madamwar, “Cyanobacteria and microalgae: a positive prospect for biofuels”, Bioresource Technology, 2011, 102: 10163–10172.
[30] M. Dębowski, M. Zieliński, A. Grala, M. Dudek, “Algae biomass as an alternative substrate in biogas production technologies—Review”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2013, 27: 596–604.
[31] G. Migliore, C. Alisi, A. R. Sprocati, E. Massi, R. Ciccoli, M. Lenzi, A. Wang, C. Cremisini, “Anaerobic digestion of macroalgal biomass and sediments sourced from the Orbetello lagoon, Italy”, Biomass and Bioenergy, 42: 69–77.
[32] M. Huesemann, G. Roesjadi, J. Benemann, F. B. Metting, “Biofuels from Microalgae and Seaweeds. In Biomass to Biofuels”, Blackwell Publishing Ltd.: Oxford, UK, 2010, 165–184.
[33] C. G. Golueke, W. J. Oswald, H. B. Gotaas, “Anaerobic digestion of algae”, Applied Microbiology, 1957, 5: 47–55.
[34] I. Angelidaki, B. K. Ahring, “Thermophilic anaerobic digestion of livestock waste: the effect of ammonia”, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 1993, 38: 560–564.
[35] B. Sialve, N. Bernet, O. Bernard, “Anaerobic digestion of microalgae as a necessary step to make microalgal biodiesel sustainable”, Biotechnology Advances, 2009, 27: 409–416.
[36] G. Markou, I. Angelidaki, E. Nerantzis, D. Georgakakis, “Bioethanol Production by Carbohydrate-Enriched Biomass of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis”, Energies, 2013, 6: 3937–3950.
[37] S. Schwede, Z.-U. Rehman, M. Gerber, C. Theiss, R. Span, “Effects of thermal pretreatment on anaerobic digestion of Nannocloropsis salina biomass”, Bioresource Technology, 2013, 143: 505–511.
[38] S. Cho, S. Park, J. Seon, J. Yu, T. Lee, “Evaluation of thermal, ultrasonic and alkali pretreatments on mixed-microalgal biomass to enhance anaerobic methane production”, Bioresource Technology, 2013, 143: 330–336.
[39] F. Passos, M. Solé, J. Garcia, I. Ferrer, “Biogas production from microalgae grown in wastewater: effect of microwave pretreatment”, Applied Energy, 2013, 108:168–175.
[40] A. Mahdy, L. Mendez, S. Blanco, M. Ballesteros, C. González-Fernández, “Protease cell wall degradation of Chlorella vulgaris: effect on methane production”, Bioresource Technology, 2014, 171: 421–427.
[41] K. Ziemiński, I. Romanowska, M. Kowalska, “Enzymatic pretreatment of lignocellulosic wastes to improve biogas production”, Waste Management, 2012, 32: 1131–1137.
[42] H. Li, H. Kjerstadius, E. Tjernström, Å. Davidsson, “Evaluation of pretreatment methods for increased biogas production from macro algae (Utvärdering av förbehandlingsmetoder för ökad biogasproduktion från makroalger)”, SGC Rapport 2013, 278: 136 [http://www.sgc.se/ckfinder/userfiles/files/SGC278.pdf ]
[43] S. Tedesco, T. M. Barroso, A. G. Olabi, “Optimization of mechanical pre-treatment of Laminariaceae spp. biomass-derived biogas”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2013, 27: 596–604.
[44] G. Jard, C. Dumas, J. P. Delgenes, H. Marfaing, B. Sialve, J. P. Steyer, H. Carrère, “Effect of thermochemical pretreatment on the solubilization and anaerobic biodegradability of the red macroalga Palmaria palmate”, Biochemical Engineering Journal, 2013, 79: 253–258.
[45] H. B Nielsen, S. Heiske, “Anaerobic digestion of macroalgae: methane potentials, pre-treatment, inhibition and co-digestion”, Water Science Technology, 2011, 64: 1723–1729.
[46] A. M. Lakaniemi, O. H. Tuovinen, J. A. Puhakka, “Anaerobic conversion of microalgal biomass to sustainable energy carriers--a review”, Bioresource Technology, 2013, 135: 222–231.
[47] P. H. Chen, W. J. Oswald, “Thermochemical treatment for algal fermentation”, Environment International, 1998, 24: 889–897.
[48] C. González-Fernández, B. Sialve, N. Bernet, J.P. Steyer, “Impact of microalgae characteristics on their conversion to biofuel. Part II: Focus on biomethane production”, Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining, 2011, 6: 205–218.
[49] P. Bohutskyi, M. J. Betenbaugh, E. J. Bouwer, “The effects of alternative pretreatment strategies on anaerobic digestion and methane production from different algal strains”, Bioresource Technology, 2014, 155: 366–372.
[50] B. Sialve, N. Bernet, O. Bernard, “Anaerobic digestion of microalgae as a necessary step to make microalgal biodiesel sustainable”, Biotechnology Advance, 2009: 27, 409–416.
[51] M. Ras, L. Lardon, B. Sialve, N. Bernet, J. P. Steyer, “Experimental study on a coupled process of production and anaerobic digestion of Chlorella vulgaris”, Bioresource Technology, 2011, 102: 200–206.
[52] C. Zamalloa, E. Vulsteke, J. Albrecht, W. Verstraete, “The techno-economic potential of renewable energy through the anaerobic digestion of microalgae”, Bioresource Technology, 2011, 102: 1149–1158.
[53] L. Lombardi, E. Carnevale, “Economic evaluations of an innovative biogas upgrading method with CO2 storage”, Energy, 2013, 62: 88–94.
[54] P. Iovane, F. Nanna, Y. Ding, B. Bikson, A. Molino, “Experimental test with polymeric membrane for the biogas purification from CO2 and H2S”, Fuel, 2014, 135: 352–358.
[55] K. Starr, X. Gabarrell, G. Villalba, L. Talens, L. Lombardi, “Life cycle assessment of biogas upgrading technologies”, Waste Management, 2012, 32: 991–999.
[56] K. A. Strevett, R. F. Vieth, D. Grasso, “Chemo-autotrophic biogas purification for methane enrichment: mechanism and and Kinetics”, The Chemical Engineering Journal and the Biochemical Engineering Journal, 1995, 58: 71–79.
[57] R. Hase, H. Oikawa, C. Sasao, M. Morita, Y. Watanabe, “Photosynthetic production of microalgal biomass in a raceway system under greenhouse conditions in Sendai City”, Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 2000. 89:157–163.
[58] R. Ramanan, K. Kannan, A. Deshkar, R. Yadav, T. Chakrabarti, “Enhanced algal CO2 sequestration through calcite deposition by Chlorella sp. and Spirulina platensis in a mini-raceway pond”, Bioresource Technology, 2010, 101: 2616–2622.
[59] F. B. Green, L. Bernstone, T. J. Lundquist, J. Muir, R. B. Tresan, W. J. Oswald, “Methane fermentation, submerged gas collection, and the fate of carbon in advanced integrated wastewater pond systems”, Water Science Technology, 1995, 31: 55–65.
[60] J. C. Weissman, D. M. Tillett, “Aquatic Species Project Report, NREL/MP-232-4174”, In: Brown LM, Sprague S (eds) National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1992, 41–58.
[61] C. Yan, Z. Zheng, “Performance of photoperiod and light intensity on biogas upgrade and biogas effluent nutrient reduction by the microalgae Chlorella sp.”, Bioresource Technology, 2013, 139: 292–299.
[62] R. Hendroko, M. Kawaroe, Salafudin, G. Saefurahman, N. E. Fitrianto, D. W. Sari, Y. Sakri, “Biorefinery preliminary studies: integration of slurry and CO2 as biomethane digester waste for microalgae Scenedesmus sp. growth”, International seminar on chemical engineering Soehadi Reksowardojo, Bandung, October 5–7, 2011.
[63] L. Travieso, E. P. Sanchez, F. Benitez, J. L. Conde, “Arthrospira sp. intensive cultures for food and biogas purification”, Biotechnology Letters; 1993; 15:1091–1094.
[64] C. Y. Kao, S. Y. Chiu, T. T. Huang, L. Dai, L. K. Hsu, C. S. Lin, “Ability of a mutant strain of the microalga Chlorella sp. to capture carbon dioxide for biogas upgrading”, Applied Energy, 2012, 93: 176–183.
[65] I. Douškova, F. Kaštanek, Y. Maleterova, P. Kaštanek, J. Doucha, V. Zachleder, “Utilization of distillery stillage for energy generation and concurrent production of valuable microalgal biomass in the sequence: Biogas-cogeneration-microalgae-products”, Energy Conversion and Management, 2010, 51: 606–611.
[66] H. Biebl, N. Pfennig, “Growth of sulfate-reducing bacteria with sulfur as electron acceptor”, Archives of Microbiology, 1977, 112: 115–117.
[67] W. Tongprawhan, S. Srinuanpan, B. Cheirsilp, “Biocapture of CO2 from biogas by oleaginous microalgae for improving methane content and simultaneously producing lipid”, Bioresource Technology, 2014, 170: 90–99.
[68] S. Sumardiono, I. S. Budiyono, S. B. Sasongko, “Utilization of Biogas as Carbon Dioxide Provider for Spirulina platensis Culture”, Current Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 2014, 6: 53–59.
[69] G. Mann, M. Schlegel, R. Schumann, A. Sakalauskas, “Biogas-conditioning with microalgae”, Agronomy Research, 2009, 7: 33–38.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Rameshprabu Ramaraj, Natthawud Dussadee. (2015). Biological Purification Processes for Biogas Using Algae Cultures: A Review. International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy, 4(1-1), 20-32. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.s.2015040101.14

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Rameshprabu Ramaraj; Natthawud Dussadee. Biological Purification Processes for Biogas Using Algae Cultures: A Review. Int. J. Sustain. Green Energy 2015, 4(1-1), 20-32. doi: 10.11648/j.ijrse.s.2015040101.14

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Rameshprabu Ramaraj, Natthawud Dussadee. Biological Purification Processes for Biogas Using Algae Cultures: A Review. Int J Sustain Green Energy. 2015;4(1-1):20-32. doi: 10.11648/j.ijrse.s.2015040101.14

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ijrse.s.2015040101.14,
      author = {Rameshprabu Ramaraj and Natthawud Dussadee},
      title = {Biological Purification Processes for Biogas Using Algae Cultures: A Review},
      journal = {International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy},
      volume = {4},
      number = {1-1},
      pages = {20-32},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijrse.s.2015040101.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.s.2015040101.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijrse.s.2015040101.14},
      abstract = {Bioenergy is a type of renewable energy made from biological sources including algae, trees, or waste from agriculture, wood processing, food materials, and municipalities. Currently, the uses of renewable fuels (bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas and hydrogen) are increased in the transport sector worldwide. From an environmental and resource-efficiency perspective biogas has several advantages in comparison to other biofuels. The main components of biogas are methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), but usually biogas also contains hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and other sulphur compounds, water, other trace gas compounds and other impurities. Purification and upgrading of the gas is necessary because purified biogas provides reductions in green house gas emissions as well as several other environmental benefits when used as a vehicle fuel. Reducing CO2 and H2S content will significantly improve the quality of biogas. Various technologies have been developed and available for biogas impurity removal; these include absorption by chemical solvents, physical absorption, cryogenic separation, membrane separation and biological or chemical methods. Since physiochemical methods of removal are expensive and environmentally hazardous, and biological processes are environmentally friendly and feasible. Furthermore, algae are abundant and omnipresent. Biogas purification using algae involved the use of algae’s photosynthetic ability in the removal of the impurities present in biogas. This review is aimed at presenting the algal characteristics, scientific approach, gather and clearly explain the main methods used to clean and purify biogas, increasing the calorific value of biogas and making this gas with characteristics closest as possible to natural gas through algae biological purification processes.},
     year = {2015}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Biological Purification Processes for Biogas Using Algae Cultures: A Review
    AU  - Rameshprabu Ramaraj
    AU  - Natthawud Dussadee
    Y1  - 2015/01/11
    PY  - 2015
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.s.2015040101.14
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijrse.s.2015040101.14
    T2  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
    JF  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
    JO  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
    SP  - 20
    EP  - 32
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2575-1549
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.s.2015040101.14
    AB  - Bioenergy is a type of renewable energy made from biological sources including algae, trees, or waste from agriculture, wood processing, food materials, and municipalities. Currently, the uses of renewable fuels (bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas and hydrogen) are increased in the transport sector worldwide. From an environmental and resource-efficiency perspective biogas has several advantages in comparison to other biofuels. The main components of biogas are methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), but usually biogas also contains hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and other sulphur compounds, water, other trace gas compounds and other impurities. Purification and upgrading of the gas is necessary because purified biogas provides reductions in green house gas emissions as well as several other environmental benefits when used as a vehicle fuel. Reducing CO2 and H2S content will significantly improve the quality of biogas. Various technologies have been developed and available for biogas impurity removal; these include absorption by chemical solvents, physical absorption, cryogenic separation, membrane separation and biological or chemical methods. Since physiochemical methods of removal are expensive and environmentally hazardous, and biological processes are environmentally friendly and feasible. Furthermore, algae are abundant and omnipresent. Biogas purification using algae involved the use of algae’s photosynthetic ability in the removal of the impurities present in biogas. This review is aimed at presenting the algal characteristics, scientific approach, gather and clearly explain the main methods used to clean and purify biogas, increasing the calorific value of biogas and making this gas with characteristics closest as possible to natural gas through algae biological purification processes.
    VL  - 4
    IS  - 1-1
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • School of Renewable Energy, Maejo University, Sansai, Chiang Mai-50290, Thailand

  • School of Renewable Energy, Maejo University, Sansai, Chiang Mai-50290, Thailand

  • Sections