Chitosan and Its Derivatives Applied in Harvesting Microalgae for Biodiesel Production: An Outlook

Although oil-accumulating microalgae are a promising feedstock for biodiesel production, large-scale biodiesel production is not yet economically feasible. As harvesting accounts for an important part of total production cost, mass production of microalgae biodiesel requires an efficient low-energy...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Guanyi Chen, Liu Zhao, Yun Qi, Yuan-Lu Cui
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2014-01-01
Series:Journal of Nanomaterials
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/217537
Description
Summary:Although oil-accumulating microalgae are a promising feedstock for biodiesel production, large-scale biodiesel production is not yet economically feasible. As harvesting accounts for an important part of total production cost, mass production of microalgae biodiesel requires an efficient low-energy harvesting strategy so as to make biodiesel production economically attractive. Chitosan has emerged as a favorable flocculating agent in harvesting of microalgae. The aim of this paper is to review current research on the application of chitosan and chitosan-derived materials for harvesting microalgae. This offers a starting point for future studies able to invalidate, confirm, or complete the actual findings and to improve knowledge in this field.
ISSN:1687-4110
1687-4129