Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://hdl.handle.net/10216/103426
Author(s): | Ana I. Barros Ana L. Gonçalves Manuel Simões José C. M. Pires |
Title: | Harvesting techniques applied to microalgae: A review |
Issue Date: | 2015 |
Abstract: | Research studies on microalgae have increased in the last decades due to the wide range of applications associated to these photosynthetic microorganisms. Microalgae are an important source of oils and other biomolecules that can be used in the production of biofuels and high-valued products. However, the use of microalgae in these green processes is still not economically viable. One of the main costs associated to microalgal production is related to the harvesting process, as it usually accounts for about 20-30% of total cost. Therefore, this review focuses on the main harvesting processes applied to microalgae, presenting the main advantages and disadvantages of each method, to allow the selection of an appropriate procedure to effectively separate microalgal biomass from the culture medium. To reduce the associated costs, it is common to harvest microalgae in a two-step separation: (i) thickening procedures, in which microalgal slurry is concentrated to about 2-7% of total suspended solids; and (ii) dewatering procedures, which result in the concentration of microalgal slurry to 15-25% of total suspended solids. Selection of the adequate harvesting methods depends on the characteristics of the target microorganism and also on the type and value of the end product. |
Subject: | Engenharia de bioprocessos, Engenharia de projecto, Engenharia do ambiente Bioprocess engineering, Project engineering, Environmental engineering |
Scientific areas: | Ciências da engenharia e tecnologias::Engenharia do ambiente Engineering and technology::Environmental engineering |
URI: | https://hdl.handle.net/10216/103426 |
Related Information: | info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/Projetos Estratégicos/UID/EQU/00511/2013 - POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006939/Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia/LEPABE |
Document Type: | Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional |
Rights: | restrictedAccess |
Appears in Collections: | FEUP - Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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180519.pdf Restricted Access | Artigo Original Publicado | 466.73 kB | Adobe PDF | Request a copy from the Author(s) |
180519.1.pdf | Post-Print version | 346.79 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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