Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Advancement and Challenges
in Harvesting Techniques
for Recovery of Microalgae
Biomass
Amrita Difusa , K. Mohanty , and V. V. Goud
Abstract
Microalgae have been known for their potential in the development and
production of sustainable biofuel and the mitigation of CO
2
generation. The
process of biofuel production from microalgae involves various technolo-
gies, from cultivation systems to harvesting of microalgal biomass and oil
extraction. The harvesting of microalgae biomass has been the bottleneck
of the whole system. This review presents recent advances in harvesting
technology and effi ciency in terms of biomass recovery and processing fur-
ther downstream. The different harvesting techniques and their challenges
are compared and discussed. This review focuses on recent technologies
and provides information on further development of commercially viable
technology for the production of microalgae-derived biofuel.
Keywords
Microalgae • Harvesting • Biofuel • Cultivation
1
Introduction
with various renewable energy sources, biofuels
are estimated to participate in the near future
for their extensive potential in the global energy
infrastructure (Chen et al.
2011
). Generations of
biofuel feedstocks have arrived; with their poten-
tial outcomes also come some disadvantages.
Microalgae have been considered an attractive
biomass feedstock for biofuel production because
of its extremely rapid growth and rich oil content
(Chisti
2007
). Owing to its multi-potentiality,
microalgae can be cultivated and harvested
throughout the year in arid regions using water
that is unsuitable for agricultural purposes
(Uduman et al.
2010
). Indeed, the use of potable
water can also be minimized by incorporating
The growing energy demand has turned the
world's attention towards the development of clean
and sustainable energy sources. In comparison
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