Microalgae derived biofuels and processes

In recent years, we are facing more and more environment problems and energy crisis issues because of using fossil fuels. Exploring renewable energy is the hardest work in energy field. Microalgae are almost the best raw material for renewable energy. This review introduced the microalgae production and biofuels processes. Microalgae are among the fastest growing plants in the world, and about 50% of their weight is oil, biofuel from microalgae is the only renewable biodiesel that can potentially completely displace liquid fuels derived from petroleum. The energy conversion reaction of microalgae can be classified into biochemical, thermochemical. Biochemical conversion can be further subdivided into alcoholic fermentation, anaerobic digestion and photobiological hydrogen production. Thermochemical conversion can be subdivided into gasification, pyrolysis and liquefaction. The productions of these processes include ethanol, methane, H₂, Syngas, and liquid fuel.