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Developing nanocellulose-based recyclable flocculants for flotation harvesting of microalgae

Project description

An effective harvesting technique for microalgae

Microalgae comprise a novel and attractive biomass feedstock that requires negligible arable land and resources. However, their small size (1–10 µm) and low biomass concentration in the liquid culture medium (~1 g/L) present considerable challenges to the successful harvesting of microalgal biomass. One solution is to combine reversible bio-based flocculants with fast separating and concentrated sludge yielding flotation processes, which have the added benefit of ensuring low environmental impact and reduced process costs. The EU-funded AlgaeFLOAT project will develop a sustainable microalgal harvesting technology that will build on and further improve low-cost, bio-based flocculants derived from cellulose based on conventional and advanced dissolved air flotation processes.

Coordinator

KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
Net EU contribution
€ 178 320,00
Address
Oude Markt 13
3000 Leuven
Belgium

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Region
Vlaams Gewest Prov. Vlaams-Brabant Arr. Leuven
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00