Microalgae dewatering is a major obstruction to industrial-scale processing of microalgae for biofuel prodn. The dil. nature of harvested microalgal cultures creates a huge operational cost during dewatering, thereby, rendering algae-based fuels less economically attractive. Currently there is no superior method of dewatering microalgae. A technique that may result in a greater algal biomass may have drawbacks such as a high capital cost or high energy consumption. The choice of which harvesting technique to apply will depend on the species of microalgae and the final product desired. Algal properties such as a large cell size and the capability of the microalgae to autoflocculate can simplify the dewatering process. This article reviews and addresses the various technologies currently used for dewatering microalgal cultures along with a comparative study of the performances of the different technologies.

Dewatering of microalgal cultures : a major bottleneck to algae-based fuels

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a thermochemical conversion technique which is attractive due to its ability to transform wet biomass into energy and chemicals without predrying. The solid product, known as hydrochar, has received attention because of its ability to prepare precursors of activated carbon in wastewater pollution remediation, soil remediation applications, solid fuels, and other carbonaceous materials. Besides the generally lignocellulose biomass used as sustainable feedstock, HTC has been applied to a wide range of derived waste, including sewage sludge, algae, and municipal solid waste to solve practical problems and generate desirable carbonaceous products. This review presented the critical hydrothermal parameters of HTC, including temperature, residence time, heating rate, reactant concentration, and aqueous quality. The chemical reaction mechanisms involved in the formation of hydrochar derived from single components and representative feedstock, lignocellulose, and sludge termed as N-free and N-rich biomass, were elucidated and summarized to better understand the hydrochar formation process. Specifically, hydrochar physicochemical characteristics such as surface chemistry and structure were investigated. Current knowledge gaps, and new perspectives with corresponding recommendations were provided to further exploit the great potential of the HTC technique and more practical applications for hydrochar in the future.

A review of the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass waste for hydrochar formation: process conditions, fundamentals, and physicochemical properties.

Economic and technical problems related to the reduction of petroleum resources require the valorisation of renewable raw material Recently, microalgae emerged as promising alternative feedstock that represents an enormous biodiversity with multiple benefits exceeding the potential of conventional agricultural feedstock Thus, this comprehensive review article spots the light on one of the most interesting microalga Chlorella vulgaris It assembles the history and a thorough description of its ultrastructure and composition according to growth conditions The harvesting techniques are presented in relation to the novel algo-refinery concept, with their technological advancements and potential applications in the market

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Morphology, composition, production, processing and applications of Chlorella vulgaris: A review

Microalgae for high-value compounds and biofuels production: a review with focus on cultivation under stress conditions.

Effect of light intensity and nitrogen starvation on CO2 fixation and lipid/carbohydrate production of an indigenous microalga Scenedesmus obliquus CNW-N

The concept of a biorefinery that integrates processes and technologies for biomass conversion demands efficient utilization of all components. Hydrothermal processing is a potential clean technology to convert raw materials such as lignocellulosic materials and aquatic biomass into bioenergy and high added-value chemicals. In this technology, water at high temperatures and pressures is applied for hydrolysis, extraction and structural modification of materials. This review is focused on providing an updated overview on the fundamentals, modelling, separation and applications of the main components of lignocellulosic materials and conversion of aquatic biomass (macro- and micro- algae) into value-added products.

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Hydrothermal processing, as an alternative for upgrading agriculture residues and marine biomass according to the biorefinery concept: A review

https://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/bitstream/1822/16591/1/3749.pdf

Nutrient limitation as a strategy for increasing starch accumulation in microalgae

https://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/bitstream/1822/22392/1/Artigo8.12_JAT.pdf

Mixotrophic cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris using industrial dairy waste as organic carbon source.

IBB Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710057 Braga, Portugal Biofuel production from renewable sources is widely considered to be one of the most sustainable alternatives to petroleum sourced fuels and a viable means for environmental and economic sustainability. Microalgae are currently being promoted as an ideal third generation biofuel feedstock because of their rapid growth rate, CO

https://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/bitstream/1822/16807/1/3067.pdf

Third generation biofuels from microalgae

https://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/bitstream/1822/24919/1/pp.pdf

Bruno Fernandes

Papers

Hydrothermal processing, as an alternative for upgrading agriculture residues and marine biomass according to the biorefinery concept: A review

Nutrient limitation as a strategy for increasing starch accumulation in microalgae

Mixotrophic cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris using industrial dairy waste as organic carbon source.

Third generation biofuels from microalgae

Optimization of CO2 bio-mitigation by Chlorella vulgaris