Materials flow modeling of nutrient recycling in biodiesel production from microalgae

► The nutrient recycling potential of different microalgae biodiesel process chains is investigated by scenario analysis. ► Nutrient demand per liter biodiesel produced is lowest for algae with high TAG contents under nitrogen deprivation. ► Recycling rates range from 30% to 90% for nitrogen and from 48% to 93% for phosphorus. ► The highest recycling rate can be achieved by hydrothermal gasification of the oil free algal biomass.