Journal article 1001 views
Harvesting of microalgae within a biorefinery approach: A review of the developments and case studies from pilot-plants
Michael L. Gerardo,
Sofie Van Den Hende,
Han Vervaeren,
Thea Coward,
Stephen C. Skill,
Steve Skill 
Algal Research, Volume: 11, Pages: 248 - 262
Swansea University Author:
Steve Skill
Full text not available from this repository: check for access using links below.
DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.algal.2015.06.019
Abstract
Microalgae are a promising renewable feedstock for a diverse number of products such as fuels, fine chemicals, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics. The extraction and processing of biochemicals from microalgae require the handling of large volumes of feedstock, largely due to the small biomass to liquid r...
| Published in: | Algal Research |
|---|---|
| Published: |
2015
|
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa28854 |
| Abstract: |
Microalgae are a promising renewable feedstock for a diverse number of products such as fuels, fine chemicals, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics. The extraction and processing of biochemicals from microalgae require the handling of large volumes of feedstock, largely due to the small biomass to liquid ratio, typically <0.1% solids. This work reviews the developments in microalgae harvesting and details the underlying phenomena of each technology in relation to key physical parameters such as: size, morphology, surface charge, and density. A critical appraisal of each method is given in relation to biomass concentration, biomass recovery, energy consumption and integration into a biorefinery approach. Finally, we detail four microalgae harvesting case studies from pilot-plants across Northwest Europe. The case studies are: (1) membrane filtration of Scenedesmus sp. used for protein, carbohydrate and lipid extraction; (2) synergetic harvesting of cyanobacteria by autoflocculation and passive capillary dewatering for the production of bioactive extracts; and, (3) bioflocculation and filtering of wastewater-grown microalgae for the production of shrimp feed, biogas and fertilizer. Overall, this review highlights that there is considerable scope for further innovation in harvesting processes, especially with synergistic interactions that exploit multiple physical and chemical properties simultaneously. |
|---|---|
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Start Page: |
248 |
| End Page: |
262 |