An Overview on the Usage of Algae as a Biofuel and their Optimization

Limitation of fossil fuel resources along with environmental pollution caused by combustion of them is necessary to search for renewable and clean alternatives. Most of the attention in biofuel production has been focused on the use of biomass, agricultural wastes, solid wastes, and sewage disposal sludge treatment. Today, there are renewable sources to replace fossil fuels such as plant biofuels. However, in the last decade microalgae cultivation has been introduced as another alternative to biomass production. The use of algal biomass in terms of water use and area under cultivation is more effective than crops and reduces cost and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuels. Many species of microalgae, due to their ability to use abundant organic carbon and inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, can grow various aquatic ecosystems such as municipal and industrial wastewater and sewage and waste streams containing large amounts of organic and inorganic carbon, N, P, and other elements. With extensive studies and development of new techniques, it is possible to achieve cost-effective algal biomass production and also prevent the production of plant biofuels due to the high consumption of freshwater and agricultural lands.