This thesis documents the work carried out investigating the downstream processing of algal biomass for biofuel production. A life cycle assessment was conducted on a hypothetical algal biodiesel process in which it was found drum drying and cell component separation were life cycle intensive processes. A
laboratory experiment was conducted which investigated the potential of using a dilute acid pretreatment followed by phospholipase and cellulase enzymes to simultaneously separate cells into their useful components. It was successfully demonstrated that cells can be degraded in this fashion and that the sugars produced were fermentable. Another investigation aimed at exploring the potential use of rapid sand filters as a first filtering and concentration step for dilute algae growth cultures such as those grown in open ponds. Finally, an life cycle inventory was compiled for a process which simultaneously produces
biodiesel and bioethanol utilizing algae biomass as a feedstock. It was identified that the production of commercial enzymes was energy and resource intensive and also released the most emissions
