USO DE MICROALGAS PARA A PRODUÇÃO DE BIODIESEL: VANTAGENS E LIMITAÇÕES

In the last years, studies related to the use of microalgae for biodiesel production is gaining momentum, these being particularly motivated by various problems found in the use of conventional agricultural crops for the same purpose. Besides not compete with food production, the microalgae present as main advantages the fast growth, high capacity of producing and storing oil and the need for smaller areas and amount of water for cultivation. However, still exist limitations mainly correlated to the cultivation method, obtaining dry matter and extraction of lipid content that require higher expenses and make impracticable the large-scale process. Thus, this article aims to present the main advantages and difficulties encountered in the use of microalgae for the production of biodiesel, through the analysis of the main methods and cropping systems used for growth, given the huge potential and benefits they have when used for this purpose.