Innovative harvesting processes for microalgae biomass production: A perspective from patent literature

A current concern is the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, mainly CO2, with anthropogenic sources being the main contributors. Microalgae have greater capacity than terrestrial plants to capture CO2, with this being an attraction for using them as capture systems. This study aims at the techno-economic evaluation of microalgae biomass production, while only considering technologies with industrial scaling potential. Energy consumption and operating costs are considered as parameters for the evaluation. In addition, the capture of CO2 from a thermoelectric plant is analyzed, as a carbon source for the cultivation of microalgae. 24 scenarios were evaluated while using process simulation tools (SuperPro Designer), being generated by the combination of cultivations in raceway pond, primary harvest with three types of flocculants, secondary harvest with centrifugation and three filtering technologies, and finally the drying evaluated with Spray and Drum Dryer. Low biomass productivity, 12.7 g/m2/day, was considered, achieving a capture of 102.13 tons of CO2/year in 1 ha for the cultivation area. The scenarios that included centrifugation and vacuum filtration are the ones with the highest energy consumption. The operating costs range from US $ 4.75–6.55/kg of dry biomass. The choice of the best scenario depends on the final use of biomass.

show abstract

“…Considerations for the first harvest (Flocculation)[55]. Considerations for the second harvest (Centrifugation and Filtration)[51,56,57].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Techno-Economic Study of CO2 Capture of a Thermoelectric Plant Using Microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris) for Production of Feedstock for Bioenergy

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The primary separation can be achieved through flocculant dosing followed by gravitational settling of large algal flocs, which increases the concentration from 0.05% up to about 1-2% solids. Subsequently, the separated biomass is fed to a dewatering stage to increase the concentration into the range that is needed for further applications (Deconinck et al, 2018). Application of flocculation can result in a lower-cost technology compared to direct mechanical harvesting (e.g., filtration) since 90 % of the water is removed in the primary stage, and the remaining 10 % would be removed via a dewatering stage.…”

Section: Integrated Microalgae Harvesting Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of microalgae for treating municipal wastewater reverse osmosis concentrate and resource recovery

Mohseni¹

2022

Water e-Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ROC and biomass production was compared in a batch treatment system using both immobilised and suspended cultivation methods. The remediation performance of the microalgae system was also investigated with a semi-continuous treatment mode to learn the likely performance of the algal system in a continuous treatment manner. This work provided a basis to the further research in this treatment approach, with a view to facilitating its possible implementation.

show abstract

“…Dewatering constitutes a major bottleneck in the production of microalgae, especially due to high energy requirements. Several dewatering approaches have been explored at laboratory, pilot and commercial scales [100,101,102,103]. However, there remains a need for energy efficient techniques that can lead to large scale processing of microalgae for biofuels [104].…”

Section: Chemometrics In the Production And Processing Of Microalgaementioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Affecting Microalgae Production for Biofuels and the Potentials of Chemometric Methods in Assessing and Optimizing Productivity

Musa

Ayoko

Ward

et al. 2019

Cells

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Microalgae are swift replicating photosynthetic microorganisms with several applications for food, chemicals, medicine and fuel. Microalgae have been identified to be suitable for biofuels production, due to their high lipid contents. Microalgae-based biofuels have the potential to meet the increasing energy demands and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the present state of technology does not economically support sustainable large-scale production. The biofuel production process comprises the upstream and downstream processing phases, with several uncertainties involved. This review examines the various production and processing stages, and considers the use of chemometric methods in identifying and understanding relationships from measured study parameters via statistical methods, across microalgae production stages. This approach enables collection of relevant information for system performance assessment. The principal benefit of such analysis is the identification of the key contributing factors, useful for decision makers to improve system design, operation and process economics. Chemometrics proffers options for time saving in data analysis, as well as efficient process optimization, which could be relevant for the continuous growth of the microalgae industry.

show abstract

Innovative harvesting processes for microalgae biomass production: A perspective from patent literature

Abstract: The harvesting of microalgae for biofuel production consists of a primary concentration step, followed by a separation step to isolate the microalgal biomass from its aquatic environment.

Cited by 46 publications

References 59 publications

Techno-Economic Study of CO2 Capture of a Thermoelectric Plant Using Microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris) for Production of Feedstock for Bioenergy

Techno-Economic Study of CO2 Capture of a Thermoelectric Plant Using Microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris) for Production of Feedstock for Bioenergy

Use of microalgae for treating municipal wastewater reverse osmosis concentrate and resource recovery

Factors Affecting Microalgae Production for Biofuels and the Potentials of Chemometric Methods in Assessing and Optimizing Productivity

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About