IMIS

Publications | Institutes | Persons | Datasets | Projects | Maps
[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Flocculation as a low-cost method for harvesting microalgae for bulk biomass production
Vandamme, D.; Foubert, I.; Muylaert, K. (2013). Flocculation as a low-cost method for harvesting microalgae for bulk biomass production. Trends Biotechnol. 31(4): 233-239. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2012.12.005
In: Trends in Biotechnology. Elsevier: Amsterdam. ISSN 0167-7799; e-ISSN 1879-3096, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Author keywords
    microalgae; biomass; biofuels; flocculation; coagulation; separation; harvesting

Authors  Top 

Abstract
    The global demand for biomass for food, feed, biofuels, and chemical production is expected to increase in the coming decades. Microalgae are a promising new source of biomass that may complement agricultural crops. Production of microalgae has so far been limited to high-value applications. In order to realize large-scale production of microalgae biomass for low-value applications, new low-cost technologies are needed to produce and process microalgae. A major challenge lies in the harvesting of the microalgae, which requires the separation of a low amount of biomass consisting of small individual cells from a large volume of culture medium. Flocculation is seen as a promising low-cost harvesting method. Here, we overview the challenges and possible solutions for flocculating microalgae.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors