Bioplastic feedstock production from microalgae with fuel co-products: A techno-economic and life cycle impact assessment

Beckstrom, Braden D.; Wilson, Michael H.; Crocker, Mark; Quinn, Jason C.

doi:10.1016/j.algal.2019.101769

Title: Bioplastic feedstock production from microalgae with fuel co-products: A techno-economic and life cycle impact assessment

Journal Article · 05 January 2020 · Algal Research

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2019.101769 · OSTI ID:1845133

Beckstrom, Braden D. ^[1]; Wilson, Michael H. ^[2]; Crocker, Mark ^[2]; Quinn, Jason C. ^[3]

Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (United States); University of Kentucky
Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (United States)
Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (United States)

The current and future consumption of petroleum based plastics, 20% of global annual oil by 2050, is leading to the investigation and development of alternative feedstocks. Algae-based plastics offer a promising alleviate that would decrease oil consumption, improve environmental impact, and in some cases even improve plastic performance. This study investigates the economic viability and environmental impact of an algae biorefinery that integrates the complementary functions of bioplastic feedstock (BPFS) and fuel production. Here, the BPFS and biofuel biorefinery modeled includes nine different production scenarios. Performance of the facility was validated based on experimental systems with modeling work focusing on mass and energy balances of all required sub-processes in the production pathway. Results show the minimum selling price of the BPFS is within the realm of economic competition with prices as low as $970 USD tonne^-1. Additionally, life cycle impact assessment results indicate drastic improvements in performance of the produced BPFS, with reductions in greenhouse gas emissions ranging between 67-116% compared to a petroleum based plastic feedstock. These results indicate that an algae biorefinery focused on BPFS production and fuels has the potential to operate both economically and sustainably. Sensitivity analysis results, alternative co-products (given that fuels represent minimal value) and product market potential are discussed.

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Research Organization:: Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE)

Grant/Contract Number:: FE0029623

OSTI ID:: 1845133

Journal Information:: Algal Research, Journal Name: Algal Research Vol. 46; ISSN 2211-9264

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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