Third generation Biomass. Classification and characterization of Algae fuels

Third generation biomasses are still largely unexplored. This paper first collects and classifies available information on the nature and main features of macro- and micro-algae, then develops a novel model of algae fuel characterization, based on a limited number of reference components: protein, carbohydrates and lipids. Based on elemental analysis and simple atomic mass balances, the biochemical algae composition is predicted. Despite the limited number of species and the rough assumptions to reduce the complexity of the overall problem, this model is already able to satisfactory predict algae composition.