title: Membrane technology in microalgae cultivation and harvesting: a review.
abstract: Membrane processes have long been applied in different stages of microalgae cultivation and processing. These processes include microfiltration, ultrafiltration, dialysis, forward osmosis, membrane contactors and membrane spargers. They are implemented in many combinations, both as a standalone and as a coupled system (in membrane biomass retention photobioreactors (BR-MPBRs) or membrane carbonation photobioreactors (C-MPBRs). To provide sufficient background on these applications, an overview of membrane materials and membrane processes of interest in microalgae cultivation and processing is provided in this work first. Afterwards, discussion about specific aspects of membrane applications in microbial cultivation and harvesting is provided, including membrane fouling. Many of the membrane processes were shown to be promising options in microalgae cultivation. Yet, significant process optimizations are still required when they are applied to enable microalgae biomass bulk production to become competitive as a raw material for biofuel production. Recent developments of the coupled systems (BR-MPBR and C-MPBR) bring significant promises to improve the volumetric productivity of a cultivation system and the efficiency of inorganic carbon capture, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 23, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; Institute Center for Water and Environment (iWater), Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, PO Box 54224, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Bilad
authors.affiliation: Institute Center for Water and Environment (iWater), Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, PO Box 54224, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Hassan A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Arafat
authors.affiliation: Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 23, 3001 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: ivo.vankelecom@biw.kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Ivo F J
authors.initials: IFJ
authors.lastname: Vankelecom
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D058086:Microalgae / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D058433:Photobioreactors
keywords: Fouling; Membrane biomass retention bioreactor; Membrane carbonation bioreactor; Membrane photobioreactor; Membrane technology; Microalgae cultivation; Microalgae harvesting; Review