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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Crystallizing Membrane Proteins for Structure Determination using Lipidic Mesophases
Published on: November 21, 2010
A review of membrane fouling and its control in algal-related membrane processes
Yichen Liao1, Alnour Bokhary1, Esmat Maleki1
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada.
Abstract:
Membrane technologies have received much attention in microalgae biorefinery for nutrients removal from wastewater, carbon dioxide abatement from the air as well as the production of value-added products and biofuel in recent years. This paper provides a state-of-the-art review on membrane fouling issues and its control in membrane photobioreactors (MPBRs) and other algal-related membrane processes (harvesting, dewatering, and biofuel production). The mechanisms of membrane fouling and factors affecting membrane fouling in algal-related membrane processes are systematically reviewed. Also, strategies to control membrane fouling in algal-related membrane processes are summarized and discussed. Finally, the gaps, challenges, and opportunities in membrane fouling control in algal-related membrane technologies are identified and discussed.
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