Development of integrated culture systems and harvesting methods for improved algal biomass productivity and wastewater resource recovery – A review

Microalgae biomass has been considered as a potential feedstock for the production of renewable chemicals and biofuels. Microalgae culture combined with wastewater treatment is a promising approach to improve the sustainability of the business model. However, algae culture and harvest account for the majority of the high costs, hindering the development of the microalgae-based wastewater utilization. Cost-effective culture systems and harvesting methods for enhancing biomass yield and reducing the cost of resource recovery have become extremely urgent and important. In this review, different commonly used culture systems for microalgae are discussed; the current harvesting methods with different culture systems have also been evaluated. Also, the inherent characteristics of inefficiency in algae wastewater treatment are elaborated. Current literature collectively supports that a biofilm type device is a system designed for higher biomass productivity, and offers ease of harvesting, in small-scale algae cultivation. Additionally, bio-flocculation, which uses one kind of flocculated microalgae to concentrate on another kind of non-flocculated microalgae is a low-cost and energy-saving alternative harvesting method. These findings provide insight into a comprehensive understanding of integrated culture systems and harvesting methods for microalgae-based wastewater treatment.