A comparative analysis of algal biomass densification methods aimed at the biofuel production

The reduced size of the cells (< 30 µm in diameter) and low cell concentration microalgae cyanobacteria cultures (0.5 g/L on average) greatly hinder densification biomass, a crucial step to becoming biofuel production from algal biomass economically viable. To identify best method, about 90 studies applied 60 different were compiled through an extensive literature survey, classified into eight methods densification, analyzed regarding harvesting efficiency, energy consumption, costs. Low-cost (spontaneous settling, autoflocculation, bioflocculation) can achieve high only with specific species conditions. On contrary, many using high-cost (centrifugation, membrane filtration, electrocoagulation). Based data, researchers should focus selecting that combine desired characteristics for downstream processes their potential production.