Review on biofuel oil and gas production processes from microalgae

Microalgae, as biomass, are a potential source of renewable energy, and they can be converted into energy such as biofuel oil and gas. This paper presents a brief review on the main conversion processes of microalgae becoming energy. Since microalgae have high water content, not all biomass energy conversion processes can be applied. By using thermochemical processes, oil and gas can be produced, and by using biochemical processes, ethanol and biodiesel can be produced. The properties of the microalgae product are almost similar to those of of fish and vegetable oils, and therefore, it can be considered as a substitute of fossil oil. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.