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Cultivation of Green Microalgae in Bubble Column Photobioreactors and an Assay for Neutral Lipids
Published on: January 7, 2019
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Microalgae for bioenergy: key technology nodes.
Ywetta Maleterova1, Frantisek Kastanek1, Milena Rouskova1
1Department of Catalysis and Reaction Engineering, Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the ASCR, v.v.i., Rozvojova 135, 16502 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
Thescientificworldjournal
|May 23, 2015
Summary
This study explores wet processing of microalgae for biodiesel, focusing on cost-effective flocculation and lipid extraction. Recycled water supports microalgae growth, and a hexane/ethanol system offers a promising, low-cost alternative for lipid extraction.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Renewable Energy
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Microalgae are a key source of lipids for sustainable biodiesel production.
- Wet processing of microalgae is crucial for reducing environmental impact and production costs.
- Efficient lipid extraction from microalgae biomass is essential for economic viability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the environmental impacts and production costs of a wet processing method for microalgae.
- To optimize flocculation and water recycling for microalgae cultivation.
- To assess different solvent systems for lipid extraction from wet microalgae biomass.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of high-lipid microalgae strains.
- Flocculation using ammonium hydroxide and chitosan.
- Water recycling for subsequent microalgae growth (30%, 50%, 80% recycled water).
- Lipid extraction using hexane, hexane/ethanol, and chloroform/methanol solvent systems.
Main Results:
- Optimal flocculation conditions using ammonium hydroxide were determined.
- Successful water recycling was verified, supporting recurring microalgae growth.
- Hexane/ethanol demonstrated comparable lipid extraction efficiency to chloroform/methanol.
- Hexane/ethanol offers advantages in low volatility, toxicity, and cost.
Conclusions:
- Wet processing of microalgae is a viable route for biodiesel production.
- Ammonium hydroxide-based flocculation enables efficient water recycling.
- The hexane/ethanol system presents a cost-effective and safer alternative for microalgae lipid extraction.
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