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Biofuels

Biofuels

The microbial conversion of organic matter into biofuels holds potential as a renewable energy source. Among biofuel sources, microalgae are recognized as a highly efficient and adaptable feedstock for biodiesel production, owing to their rapid biomass accumulation, elevated lipid productivity, and capacity to proliferate in diverse aquatic systems, including freshwater, marine, and wastewater habitats. Unlike terrestrial crops, microalgae do not compete for land and can achieve significantly...

Green Algae

Green Algae

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Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons

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Bioremediation is an environmentally sustainable process that employs living organisms—primarily microorganisms—to degrade or neutralize pollutants from contaminated environments. In oil spills and hydrocarbon pollution, bioremediation involves the use of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria to transform toxic compounds into less harmful substances. This approach leverages natural microbial metabolic processes and is considered both cost-effective and ecologically favorable compared to physical or...

Bioremediation

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Other Algae

Other Algae

The group Stramenopiles include some phototrophic microorganisms. Members of this group possess flagella covered in numerous short, hairlike extensions, a feature that inspired the group's name, derived from the Latin words for "straw" and "hair." Some of the main categories of Stramenopiles include diatoms, golden algae, and brown algae.Diatoms are unicellular, photosynthetic eukaryotes, with over 200 known genera. They play a key role in the planktonic communities of both marine and...

Freshwater Microbial Ecology

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Freshwater systems such as streams, rivers, and lakes exhibit distinct physical and biological characteristics that influence their microbial communities. These environments are broadly categorized into lotic systems—those with flowing waters like streams and most rivers—and lentic systems, which include still or slow-moving waters such as lakes, ponds, and marshes.In lentic systems, phytoplankton drive primary production, generating autochthonous organic carbon. In contrast, lotic systems...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Coupling Carbon Capture from a Power Plant with Semi-automated Open Raceway Ponds for Microalgae Cultivation

Coupling Carbon Capture from a Power Plant with Semi-automated Open Raceway Ponds for Microalgae Cultivation

Published on: August 14, 2020

Harvesting microalgae grown on wastewater.

Innocent Udom¹, Behnaz H Zaribaf, Trina Halfhide

¹Department of Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.

Bioresource Technology

|May 8, 2013

Summary

Investigating microalgae harvesting for biofuels, this study found ferric chloride offers the lowest environmental impact despite higher costs. Optimal coagulants and belt presses are recommended for efficient algae dewatering and oil extraction.

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Published on: March 22, 2024

Area of Science:

Biotechnology and Biofuels
Environmental Science and Engineering
Chemical Engineering

Background:

Microalgae are a sustainable source for biofuel production.
Efficient harvesting and dewatering are critical challenges in microalgae cultivation.
Reducing the environmental footprint and cost of microalgae processing is essential for commercial viability.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the costs and life cycle impacts of various microalgae harvesting methods.
To determine optimal coagulant dosages for efficient algae recovery.
To identify the most sustainable and cost-effective dewatering technology for microalgae biofuel production.

Main Methods:

Microalgae were cultivated in pilot-scale photobioreactors using anaerobic digester centrate.
Jar tests were conducted to determine optimal dosages for alum, ferric chloride, cationic polymer (Zetag 8819), anionic polymer (E-38), and natural coagulants (Moringa Oleifera, Opuntia ficus-indica).
Algae cake dewaterability was assessed via centrifugation, and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and cost analyses were performed.

Main Results:

Alum, ferric chloride, and cationic polymer achieved over 91% algae recovery at optimal dosages.
Cationic polymer presented the lowest cost but highest environmental impacts.
Ferric chloride exhibited the highest cost but the lowest environmental impacts.

Conclusions:

Ferric chloride is a cost-effective coagulant with minimal environmental impact for microalgae harvesting.
Belt presses are recommended as the preferred dewatering technology based on LCA findings.
Optimizing harvesting and dewatering processes is crucial for the economic and environmental sustainability of microalgae-based biofuels.