Work

Conceptual design of a novel route for microalgae biorefinery associating tannery wastewater treatment with the production of biofuels and carbon dots

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study proposes a microalgae biorefinery integrated with tannery wastewater treatment. Each step of the route is analyzed, together with its yields, using data from the literature. The process begins with tannery wastewater treatment, followed by biomass recovery and pyrolysis. The three pyrolysis products – bio‐oil, biochar, and gas – are evaluated, and potential applications are suggested based on the yields achievable with current processing technologies. The results indicate that 1000 m 3 of tannery wastewater can produce 11.58 t of dry microalgae biomass, yielding 109.6 L of diesel, 184.3 L of gasoline, and 68.79 kg of carbon dots.

Source: Biofuels Bioproducts and Biorefining

DOI: 10.1002/bbb.70129

Authors: Aline C. Campos Pena, Caroline Borges Agustini, Alexsandro G. Souza Gonçalves, Luciane Ferreira Trierweiler, Mariliz Gutterres

Institutions: Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Language: English

Topic: Algal biology and biofuel production

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior