Software tools for microalgae biorefineries: Cultivation, separation, conversion process integration, modeling, and optimization

Sustainable Point of View: Life Cycle Analysis for Green Extraction Technologies

“…While a wide variety of databases exist for different analysis purposes, ecoinvent stands out as a database that is compatible with all four LCA softwares. Related to this information, while openLCA being the only open source LCA software, it still requires additional investment to utilize ecoinvent database beside its free-to-use databases [25] which negates the advantage of openLCA being a free-to-use software in some studies.…”

“…Umberto presents a more modern graphical interface, thus being easier to use while also being compatible with the GaBi database in addition to ecoinvent. Among all four softwares, only openLCA offers an LCA software that is free to use [25]. Generally applied LCA software also brings out various disadvantages of their own.…”

Microalgal-Based Bioenergy: Strategies, Prospects, and Sustainability

“…Considering these aspects, the future direction in large-scale cultivation of biomass could employ AI-based computational/ simulation models for achieving the best parameters or predicting the maximum yield of biofuel production. 314 With present advancements, employing hybrid reactors along with novel cultivation systems (two-stage, co-culture, stepwise cultivation, etc.,) and utilizing wastewaters can address the cost effectiveness of algal cultivation. The energy-efficient harvesting system by introducing the biofilm-based cultivation and addition of a toxin-free bioflocculant could address the high separation cost.…”

“…Further, applying the concept of a modern biorefinery with energy-intensive thermochemical methods, such as hydrothermal liquefaction, pyrolysis, gasification, etc., offers an impressive route for a sustainable and green bioeconomy. Indeed, the simulation models can also be efficiently utilized for multi-objective studies best suited in the biorefinery model to ensure the intact nature of biomolecules for efficient product recovery at a large scale. , Moreover, to achieve the net positive energy and translational revenue model, cascading resource recovery from microalgal biomass falls under crucial future directives. With all of these engineering principles, generating algal biofuels facilitating CO 2 fixation and wastewater remediation while producing value-added green products, like bioplastics/biofertilizers/biochar, etc., is a step forward for a circular bioeconomy with a cleaner and greener future of planet Earth as well as its inhabitants.…”

Sustainable production pathways for added-value products from microalgae : A superstructure optimization approach

“…Very few simulation studies and analyses in terms of economic outlook have been dedicated to combining the process of extracting bioproducts from microalgae. These researchers concentrated almost entirely on specific sections of an algae biorefinery, simplifying the remaining sections significantly and ignoring, for example, the impact of tertiary unit operations [207][208][209].…”