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Biofuel production from microalgae biomass has been considered a viable alternative to harmful fossil fuels; however, challenges are faced regarding its economic sustainability. Process integration to yield various high-value bioproducts is implemented to raise profitability and sustainability. By incorporating a circular economy outlook, recirculation of resource flows is maximized to yield economic and environmental benefits through waste minimization. However, previous modeling studies have not looked into the opportunity of integrating productivity reduction related to the continuous recirculation and reuse of resources until it reaches its end of life. In this work, a novel multi-objective optimization model is developed centered on an algal biorefinery that simultaneously optimizes cost and environmental impact, adopts the principle of resource recovery and recirculation, and incorporates the life cycle assessment methodology to properly account for the environmental impacts of the system. An algal biorefinery involving end-products such as biodiesel, glycerol, biochar, and fertilizer was used for a case study to validate the optimization model. The generated optimal results are assessed and further analyzed through scenario analysis. It was seen that demand fluctuations and process unit efficiencies have significant effect on the optimal results.
Celine Solis; Jayne San Juan; Andres Mayol; Charlle Sy; Aristotle Ubando; Alvin Culaba. A Multi-Objective Life Cycle Optimization Model of an Integrated Algal Biorefinery toward a Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy Considering Resource Recirculation. Energies 2021, 14, 1416 .
AMA StyleCeline Solis, Jayne San Juan, Andres Mayol, Charlle Sy, Aristotle Ubando, Alvin Culaba. A Multi-Objective Life Cycle Optimization Model of an Integrated Algal Biorefinery toward a Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy Considering Resource Recirculation. Energies. 2021; 14 (5):1416.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCeline Solis; Jayne San Juan; Andres Mayol; Charlle Sy; Aristotle Ubando; Alvin Culaba. 2021. "A Multi-Objective Life Cycle Optimization Model of an Integrated Algal Biorefinery toward a Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy Considering Resource Recirculation." Energies 14, no. 5: 1416.
Production of biodiesel from renewable resources like microalgae biomass presents a potential for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel energy consumption. The integration of processes from other industries have been implemented in microalgal biorefineries to increase economic sustainability by co-producing several high-value algal-based products. Agro-industrial processes have the potential to be incorporated into the biorefinery because it requires input material flows from other biorefinery process units to cultivate and sell crops for an additional source of revenue and increased carbon sequestration, while generating wastewater that may be used as a cultivation medium for algae or as a resource for other biorefinery processes. Circular bioeconomy, an extension of the circular economy ideology, has the goal of achieving economic and environmental sustainability through maximizing the dedicated recirculation of resource flows, and minimizing waste generation and end-of-life disposal. However, existing modelling studies have not explored this opportunity; previous studies have not considered that resource functionality runs out with repeated recirculation and reuse as it reaches its end of life. In this work, a novel multi-objective optimization model is developed to design and manage closed-loop algal biorefineries integrating agro-industrial processes that captures the effect of recirculation on resource material viability and end-of-life environmental impact. A case study is solved as proof of concept and to illustrate the design methodology, optimal solutions based on economic and environmental performance are analyzed. The results of the case study validate the initial hypothesis that there is a conflict between the economic and environmental objectives since the decision for biofuel production varied for each single objective. With the multi objective model, a balance between the two objectives was found. The results of the optimization model can be applied in the design of an algal biorefinery along with the decisions relating to production quantities incorporating a zero waste outlook.
C A Solis; A P Mayol; J G San Juan; A T Ubando; A B Culaba. Multi-objective optimal synthesis of algal biorefineries toward a sustainable circular bioeconomy. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 2020, 463, 1 .
AMA StyleC A Solis, A P Mayol, J G San Juan, A T Ubando, A B Culaba. Multi-objective optimal synthesis of algal biorefineries toward a sustainable circular bioeconomy. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 2020; 463 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC A Solis; A P Mayol; J G San Juan; A T Ubando; A B Culaba. 2020. "Multi-objective optimal synthesis of algal biorefineries toward a sustainable circular bioeconomy." IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 463, no. : 1.