Sustainable Biofuel Production from Microalgae: Advanced Harvesting and Extraction Techniques

Abstract

Microalgae have emerged as a highly promising feedstock for sustainable biofuel production due to their rapid growth rates, high lipid content, and ability to thrive on non-arable land with minimal freshwater resources. However, commercial-scale biofuel production from microalgae is hindered by challenges in harvesting and lipid extraction, which constitute significant portions of production cost and energy input. This study explores advanced harvesting and extraction techniques aimed at improving the efficiency, scalability, and sustainability of microalgae-based biofuel production. Various harvesting methods, including centrifugation, flocculation, filtration, and membrane separation, are evaluated for their energy consumption, recovery efficiency, and environmental impact. Lipid extraction strategies, such as solvent-based extraction, supercritical CO₂, and microwave-assisted hydrothermal methods, are investigated to maximize bio-oil yield while minimizing chemical usage and process energy. The integration of these advanced techniques demonstrates substantial improvements in lipid recovery efficiency and biofuel yield. The study highlights the potential of combining optimized harvesting with energy-efficient extraction processes to enable cost-effective, large-scale, and environmentally sustainable production of microalgae-derived biofuels, providing a viable alternative to fossil fuels and contributing to global renewable energy targets.