Cyclalg is a European project whose objective is to create a biorefinery where all the processes necessary to produce biodiesel through microalgae cultivation will be developed and validated. Six technology centers located in France, Navarre, and the Basque Country are participating in this project, which is expected to last three years and has a budget of €1,4 million.
The main objective of the project is to establish a new circular economy model through the production of biodiesel and other biofuels from microalgae. This model seeks to utilize generated organic waste as food for the microalgae, thus promoting their growth and consolidating a self-sufficient and sustainable system. The waste is not only recycled within the process but, by extending its lifespan, can yield products useful for the chemical, energy, and agricultural industries.
The importance of microalgae in biodiesel production
Microalgae are oil-producing microorganisms with an incredible capacity to grow rapidly in an aquatic environment. They are especially attractive for biofuel production due to their high lipid density , which is essential in the process of converting oils to biodiesel through esterification.
Unlike traditional crops such as corn or sugarcane, microalgae do not compete for the fertile soil needed for agricultural production. Furthermore, they can capture CO2 from the atmosphere even more efficiently than terrestrial plants, thus helping to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions as they grow. Another key advantage is their ability to grow in various types of water: fresh, salt, and even wastewater , which expands their potential applications across diverse geographical regions and environmental conditions.
Neiker-Tecnalia: Project Coordinator
Neiker-Tecnalia , a technology center in the Basque Country, coordinates the Cyclalg project, responsible for ensuring the economic and ecological viability of microalgae cultivation for biodiesel production . This involves optimizing cultivation conditions to ensure yields sufficient to justify the initial effort and investment.
One of Cyclalg's biggest challenges is finding the right proportion of organic waste to feed the microalgae. During a previous project, Energreen (which ran from 2012 to 2014), the use of algae for biodiesel production was validated, but problems arose when using organic waste oils due to their composition. These oils, although rich in proteins and sugars, do not always behave stably within the production cycle, requiring further research to fine-tune the processes.
The concept of biorefinery
A biorefinery follows the same concept as a traditional refinery, except that instead of using crude oil, it processes organic biomass , in this case, microalgae. Within a biorefinery, all components of the biomass are extracted and utilized, yielding various bioproducts in a continuous cycle. Since this is a microalgae biorefinery, the primary objective is to produce biodiesel , but other biofuels such as bioethanol or biogas can also be obtained , along with value-added byproducts like biofertilizers and animal feed.
This integrated approach is key to ensuring economic viability, as it allows for multiple products to be obtained from a single biomass source. In the case of Cyclalg, the possibility of extracting various compounds is being explored, from biofuels to ingredients that can be used in the chemical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, such as antioxidants, lipids and proteins.
The success of the project will depend on several factors
- Optimizing microalgae cultivation: Development of efficient and sustainable photobioreactors.
- Recycling waste: Use organic waste as a substrate for the growth of microalgae.
- Producing profitable bioproducts: Extend the cycle.