Title: Exergoeconomic analysis of the utilisation of microalgae derived biostimulants for sustainable agriculture

Authors: Nicholas Melenek; Murilo G. Rampi; José V.C. Vargas; Gabriela C. Figueiredo; Anne C.D. Oliveira; Andre B. Mariano; Juan C. Ordonez; Vanessa M. Kava

Addresses: Graduate Program in Materials Science Engineering (PIPE), Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil; Sustainable Energy Research and Development Center (NPDEAS), Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil ' Sustainable Energy Research and Development Center (NPDEAS), Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil; Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering (PGMEC), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil ' Graduate Program in Materials Science Engineering (PIPE), Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil; Sustainable Energy Research and Development Center (NPDEAS), Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil; Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering (PGMEC), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil ' Sustainable Energy Research and Development Center (NPDEAS), Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil; Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering (PGMEC), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil ' Sustainable Energy Research and Development Center (NPDEAS), Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil ' Graduate Program in Materials Science Engineering (PIPE), Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil; Sustainable Energy Research and Development Center (NPDEAS), Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil; Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering (PGMEC), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Energy and Sustainability Center, Center for Advanced Power Systems, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32310-6046, USA ' Sustainable Energy Research and Development Center (NPDEAS), Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil; Department of Genetics, Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil

Abstract: This study addresses a biorefinery system that enables the production of microalgae derived biostimulants, which includes a municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerator, heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), an emissions fixation column, a photobioreactor, a flocculator, a centrifuge, and a dryer. The output is dry biomass to be utilised as fertiliser. The system technical and economic viability is investigated via an exergoeconomic analysis, which evaluates the system's performance accounting for energy consumption, exergy losses, and economic features related to each stage. The exergoeconomic evaluation established an exergetic cost of 1.022 × 10^-3 US$/kJ, 1.645 × 10^-3 US$/kJ, and 3.324 × 10^-3 US$/kJ for microalgae production, dry biomass production, and utilisation of microalgae biomass as a biostimulant, respectively. As a result, it is reasonable to state that the innovative approach proposed herein is a potential solution to address the ecologically correct agricultural practices, sustainable energy and food production global growing demand.

Keywords: agricultural practices; plant growth promoters; PGP; mathematical model; sustainability; cogeneration; exergy analysis; municipal solid waste; MSW; heat recovery steam generator; HRSG.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2025.146046

International Journal of Exergy, 2025 Vol.46 No.3/4, pp.257 - 277

Received: 01 Jun 2024
Accepted: 20 Sep 2024
Published online: 02 May 2025 *

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