The Power of Microalgae – A Trip to a Biobased Micro-World

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Different types of reactors are commercially available; main differentiating features are the material and the arrangement of plates or tubes in order to obtain ideal lighting conditions for the whole reactor. For low-volume high-value production where energetic aspects are not a priority, artificial lighting is also an option. Modern LED systems help to avoid the problem of overheating the reactors. Some groups even work on the development of decentralized light systems with small light-emitting modules floating within the algae suspension.

Downstream Processing Makes the Difference

A major challenge for commercial algae products is the downstream processing of the micro-algae suspension. Compared to other fermentations, biomass concentrations are significantly lower; up to ten times the volume of conventional fermentation brews need to be handled and processed in microalgae processes. Downstream processing thus accounts for a major proportion of costs incurred, and effective methods are urgently sought for.

If these hurdles can be overcome, the road is open towards an ambitious vision of many algae researchers: The microalgae biorefinery, producing valuable chemicals, fuel, and energy from the gasification of residues. So, maybe the story of microalgae needs to be rewritten: From one superhero saving the world by one heroic action into a serial about a group of specialists acting in different fields and contributing to a larger picture — doesn’t “Teenage Mutant Microalgae” hold a lot of appeal, too? n

* The article is based on a DECHEMA Whitepaper on occasion of BiobasedWorld 2017.

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