Dipesh Kumar

Life Cycle Assessment of Algal Biofuels

First- and second-generation biofuels are widely recognized as unsustainable in the long run due to associated challenges and are incapable to completely displace petroleum-based transportation fuels. Biofuel from algae (third generation of biofuels) is an emerging area of research and offers several potential benefits over first and second generation of biofuels. To achieve the goals of sustainable development needed today requires moving beyond the general compliance to specified norms for environmental protection and a cradle-to-grave-approach-based analysis of products and processes. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an analytical tool to assess the environmental, social, and economic performance of alternative products and processes throughout its life cycle. Since fossil fuels have created environmental concerns, any alterative should perform better on environmental concerns than fossil fuels before it is promoted. Therefore, LCA of algal biofuels is imperative in order to assess its suitability over fossil fuels.

Challenges and Opportunities in Commercialization of Algal Biofuels

Recently algae have received considerable scientific attention as biofuel feedstock. However there are several concerns that remain to be answered about their overall environmental sustainability and economic feasibility. In order to ascertain the suitability of algal biofuels over fossil fuels and biofuels derived from other feedstocks life cycle based holistic assessment is critical. Several factors directly and indirectly affect the acceptability of biofuels derived from algae. This chapter compares the different unit operations and alternatives available for their completion to identify hotspots in algal biofuel production system that are likely to have a disproportionate effect on overall environmental and economic performance of algal biofuels. The idea of manipulating genetic makeup of algae for improved biomass and biofuel production and the concept of algal biorefinery have also been discussed.

Role of biomass supply chain management in sustainable bioenergy production

ABSTRACT The demand for bioenergy (biofuels, heat and electricity) is increasing steadily around the globe. Major policy-related interventions for adoption and promotion of bioenergy have also been realized by several countries over the past few decades. The biomass supply chain incorporates several components of bioenergy production, which in turn consist of several activities for which different alternative methods are available. Different components of the biomass supply chain include production of bioenergy feedstock (biomass), logistics of biomass, conversion of biomass to bioenergy, and distribution of bioenergy or bioenergy carriers for end use. The single largest limiting factor for the production of bioenergy is the unavailability of biomass. Dedicated, fast-growing and high-biomass-producing plantations on non-arable land and utilization of agro-industrial waste materials can overcome this problem. Holistic integration of different components of the biomass supply chain and activities involved therein along with judicious design are likely to enhance the quantum of energy return, improve the greenhouse gas balance and reduce the water footprint of the bioenergy production facility. Additionally, the emerging yet promising concept of lignocellulosic and algal biorefinery would require a careful and prudent design of the biomass supply chain to achieve one of the most attractive characteristic of bioenergy: environmental sustainability.

Bio-oil and Biodiesel as Biofuels Derived from Microalgal Oil and Their Characterization by Using Instrumental Techniques

Microalgal oil has been a source for production of biofuels such as bio-oil and biodiesel. These two biofuels can be characterized quantitatively using advanced instrumentation techniques. Nile red fluorescence method, PAM fluorometry, NMR, GC/GC-MS, and FTIR are among the major techniques available for characterization and quantification of algal oil. NMR is a rapid and nondestructive analytical technique as it requires minimal sample preparation, and even one intact algal cell can be analyzed. It can also be used for continuous monitoring of cellular composition of algal culture. NMR can be used to monitor transesterification reaction and oxidation of lipids and biodiesel components. GC has remained the most widely used analytical technique for fatty acid profile analysis. GC-MS is a destructive analytical technique as derivatization of algal oil is required owing to its poor volatility and hence involves lengthy sample preparation procedure. FTIR is a relatively inexpensive technique and, like NMR, can analyze intact cells with scanning time of the order of seconds. FTIR may offer high signal-to-noise ratio and can also be used to monitor transesterification.

Bioenergy and Phytoremediation Potential of Millettia pinnata

Phytoremediation is currently being envisaged as an ecologically sustainable and economical decontamination technique for polluted sites. Phytoremediation being a slow process limits the utility of the site to an extent for other activities, and therefore valorisation of the biomass produced by some means is very important. Biomass-based energy (bioenergy) is increasingly gaining popularity as a relatively clean, renewable and carbon-neutral alternative to fossil fuels. Coupling phytoremediation with bioenergy production by using fast-growing hyperaccumulating species having bioenergy potential appears to be a rather attractive opportunity. Millettia pinnata is a hardy tree species with well-established bioenergy potential. The use of Millettia pinnata for simultaneous decontamination (of heavy metal contaminated sites) and bioenergy production has been discussed in this chapter.

Greening the Indian Transport Sector: Role of Biodiesel

India being the world’s fastest growing major economy requires to substantially boost up the availability of energy for sustaining high rate of economic growth. Critical dependence on imported forms of fossil energy can be detrimental in the long run. With around 51% of the total demand for petroleum products, the transportation sector is likely to be among the most vulnerable sectors to petroleum supply shocks. In order to improve energy security and also to reduce the emission intensity of GDP, indigenously developed renewables are urgently required. Considering the quantum of diesel use in India and associated environmental degradation, biodiesel appears to be a very promising alternative which can be used and distributed by utilizing existing infrastructure. The Government has taken serious note of the situation and has introduced policies for developement and use of biodiesel. However, the biodiesel industry in India is still in its infancy requiring careful examination and addressing of policy lacunae.

Sustainability of Oil Seed-Bearing Bioenergy Plants in India (Jatropha, Karanja, and Castor) for Phytoremediation: A Meta-analysis Study

In the present era when several countries are facing dual challenges of energy insecurity and environmental pollution, growing plants having bioenergy potential for reclamation of contaminated sites seems to offer a rather holistic approach to tackle both the problems simultaneously. Combining both the technologies (bioenergy production and phytoremediation of contaminated sites) apparently improves the overall environmental sustainability and economic feasibility of the individual techniques. Here, we discuss the ecological sustainability and economic feasibility of an integrated approach toward bioenergy production and decontamination of polluted sites using Jatropha curcas, Millettia pinnata, and Ricinus communis. This review paper attempts to provide a comparative snapshot approach toward the phytoremediation dimension of the three bioenergy plants taken for study in Indian scenario.