Simulation and analysis of the potential for third generation ethanol production employing marine macroalgae

• Grant number: 23/13330-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Principal Investigator: Antonio José Gonçalves da Cruz
• Grantee: Lucas de Melo Rocha
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The replacement of fossil fuels with renewable sources of energy has been increasingly necessary in recent years, especially due to environmental problems associated with the combustion of these fuels. In this regard, algae are known as third generation biomass for ethanol production. Their cultivation has advantages such as: higher photosynthetic efficiency (faster duplication rates), growth in aqueous environments (lower water consumption than higher plants), the ability to produce almost year-round in tropical regions (or in the case of artificial lighting), cultivation in both fresh and saltwater (in the latter case, not competing with irrigation water), no need for arable land for production (no competition with food production), no need for herbicides or pesticides for cultivation (minimizing polluting impact), a lower amount of lignin in their composition (more favorable conditions for saccharification), and the potential for co-production of other higher-value products. In this context, this scientific initiation project aims to evaluate the potential for third-generation ethanol (E3G) production using marine macroalgae. Based on literature data, the study will perform mathematical modeling (mass and energy balances) of the main unit operations involved in the processing of macroalgae. The equations will be implemented in a spreadsheet for process simulation. The project will define a production scale to conduct a preliminary economic assessment of the process.