Macroalgae, commonly referred to as seaweed, has the potential to be used as a source of biomass for the manufacture of fuel. It can be burned as a solid fuel to produce energy or processed into biofuels like bioethanol and biodiesel.
Fast growth rates, high biomass yields, and the capacity to grow in salty conditions are just a few of its many benefits as a biomass source. It also doesn’t compete with food crops for freshwater and land resources.
Seaweed farming also has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and enhance water quality. Seaweeds of the Laminaria, Gracilaria, and Sargassum species were among the types utilized to make biofuel.
In Macrocystis, the seaweed’s mannitol and alginate contents were key factors in the good gas output. If the concentration of mannitol was high, a high percentage of gas was created. In Gracilaria, the output of methane was strongly related to the amount of carbohydrates. Sargassum generated low gas.
Seaweed can be used to produce fuel, but there are drawbacks as well. For example, effective harvesting and processing techniques are required, and seaweed-based biofuels are more expensive to produce than conventional fossil fuels.
