Combining ABE fermentation and anaerobic digestion to treat with lipid extracted algae for enhanced bioenergy production.

As a downstream process output, biobutanol can be produced via acetone, butanol, and ethanol (ABE) fermentation from lipid-extracted algae (LEA), but the leftover residue has not been treated for additional value. In current study, LEA were acid hydrolyzed to extract glucose into the hydrolysate, which was then used for ABE fermentation to produce butanol. In the meantime, anaerobic digestion was performed on the hydrolysis residue to produce methane and release nutrients for algae recultivation.

Comprehensive analysis of the combined flocculation and filtration process for microalgae harvesting at various operating parameters.

The combined process of flocculation and filtration can improve algae harvesting performance by combining the benefits of both and overcoming the drawbacks. The entire process was thoroughly examined in this study, considering technical and economic feasibility under a variety of operating situations. Dead-end filtration was performed to evaluate the harvesting performance, the removal of extracellular organic matter and the changes of flocs.