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Biorefinery of microalgae – opportunities and constraints for different production scenarios
Author(s) -
Hariskos Ioanna,
Posten Clemens
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.144
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1860-7314
pISSN - 1860-6768
DOI - 10.1002/biot.201300142
Subject(s) - biorefinery , biochemical engineering , biomass (ecology) , process (computing) , production (economics) , biodiesel production , biofuel , environmental science , process engineering , biodiesel , computer science , pulp and paper industry , microbiology and biotechnology , engineering , chemistry , biology , ecology , biochemistry , macroeconomics , economics , catalysis , operating system
In order to design economically feasible production processes it is necessary, as part of the biorefinery concept, to valorize all constituents of the microalgal biomass. Such an approach requires appropriate biorefinery side‐process strategies to be adapted to production of the primary product. These strategies are particularly valid for microalgae, since the composition and amount of residual biomass can vary significantly depending on cell stoichiometry and cultivation techniques. This review investigates opportunities and constraints for biorefinery concepts in production scenarios for four different products from microalgae with different market volumes, including high‐ and medium‐value products, whole cells and biodiesel. Approaches to close material and energy balances, as well as to adapt the biorefinery according to biological potential, process routes, and market needs are presented, which will further contribute to making the biorefinery concept a success.