Integrated microalgae-based biorefinery for wastewater treatment, industrial CO2 sequestration and microalgal biomass valorization: A circular bioeconomy approach

Abstract

Microalgae are widely used in a variety of fields, including agriculture, the environment, medicine, cosmetics, food, and feed. They are used as feedstock for sustainably produced chemicals and biofuel. However, the production of microalgal-derived products is economically unprofitable. Integrated biorefinery based on microalgae-derived products is one of the long-term solutions that could be economically and environmentally viable with zero waste. This review emphasizes the integration of wastewater treatment with CO2 biosequestration from industrial flue gas and proposes an integrated biomass valorization strategy based on microalgae biorefineries. A model of integrated biorefinery with a techno-economic analysis and the possible microalgae-derived products that can be valorized after domestic wastewater and flue gas use as low-cost inputs for microalgae culture are also proposed.

Keywords

• Microalgae
• Wastewater treatment
• CO2 biosequestration
• Biorefinery
• Circular bioeconomy