exhibit 30% higher methane production rate than other algae
(methane yield not reported) [7].
However, energy conversion efficiency remains slow in one
step process (dark-fermentation or methanogenesis). Therefore,
further studies are needed to analyze algae biomass in
detail and to develop efficient fermentation methods.
In this study, the microscopic structure and dynamic hydrolysis
process of algae blooms were investigated for the first
time by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission
electron microscopy (TEM). Hydrolysis efficiency of algae
biomass was dramatically improved by microwave pretreatment
with dilute acid. Furthermore, a three-stage process,
comprising dark-fermentation, photofermentation, and methanogenesis,
was conducted using acid-domesticated hydrogenogens,which
greatly increased energy conversion efficiency.