International Journal of Environmental Science and Development

Abstract—Anaerobic digestion (AD) of algae biomass has been investigated since long. However to enhance full scale commercial future prospects of algal bio technology, it is important to develop methods for better utilisation of the algae biomass. For effective AD involving algae biomass, there is still a need for intensifying algae biomass digestion. Pre-treatment practices on micro and macro algae improve the digestibility of the algae biomass and an increase in biogas yield. Co-digestion of algae biomass with BWW, sewage sludge and agricultural waste is a promising sustainable strategy as it enhances AD and helps in the safe disposal of different wastes. Combining pre-treatment and co-digestion provides a better practice of the AD process. Utilisation of AD of algae biomass, and the potential of AD of algae biomass with three co-digestion feedstock –Sewage sludge, spent grain and agricultural waste are further discussed. This paper concludes that AD can act as a better ‘connecting link’ in the algae bio technology providing economic viability and sustainable practice.

Index Terms—Anaerobic digestion, algae biomass, co-digestion, pre-treatment.

The authors are with Birmingham City University, Millennium Point, Birmingham, UK (e-mail: Roshni.Paul@bcu.ac.uk, Lynsey.Melville@bcu.ac.uk, Michael.Sulu@bcu.ac.uk).

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Cite: R. Paul, L. Melville, and M. Sulu, "Anaerobic Digestion of Micro and Macro Algae, Pre-treatment and Co-Digestion-Biomass — A Review for a Better Practice," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 7, no. 9, pp. 646-650, 2016.