A sustainable model for algal biofuel production: cost-effectiveness and low carbon emissions

International efforts are shifting from fossil-based petroleum to bio-based fuels for transportation. Biofuels provide a sustainable alternative by reducing carbon emissions, mitigating rising crude oil prices, and addressing the depletion of petroleum reserves. This study develops a mathematical optimization model for the production of algal biofuels and their by-products using sustainable biomass, with a particular focus on the impact of carbon tax on production activities. The analysis primarily examines production processes costs, highlighting that transportation from riverbanks to the laboratory accounts for 42.17% of the total production system cost. Additionally, the transportation sector contributes 48% of total carbon emissions throughout the production process. The developed model comprehensively analyzed the entire process of algal biofuel production, resulting in insights into its overall sustainability. Effective optimization modeling must consider both upstream and downstream financial burdens to optimize the production system. This paper presents a holistic perspective on production optimization, socio-economic factors, and scalability, providing valuable insights for future advancements in algal-based biofuels.