Title:
Designing an Integrated Technological Platform Centered on Microalgae to Recover Organic Waste and Obtain Multiple Bioproducts
Author(s):
Francavilla, M., Intini, S., Monteleone, M.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
In a biorefinery, raw materials do not result from fossils but from biological feedstock. This substitution is an essential step to overcome the fossil dependency and develop low-carbon productive systems. Multiple renewable fuels and a wide spectrum of intermediate materials or end-products are obtained starting from bio-based resources. Consequently, biorefinery is the central concept on which the transition to "bioeconomy" is founded. A biorefinery is designed as a combination of several production processes, functionally integrated one another to form a bio-based systemic assemblage generating symbiotic connections and synergies that increase significantly the overall efficiency in the use of both energy and resources. A well-designed biorefinery may produce several low-volume, but high-value, chemical products together with a low-value, but high-volume fuel. Heat and power are also obtained. Fine-chemicals are used in industrial applications (feed/food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, etc.). None of the most advanced biorefinery examples currently includes microalgae cultivation ("third generation" feedstock) in combination with anaerobic digestion and composting technologies. This work is proposing an unusual, indeed a unique combination of technologies to form a complete and effective biorefinery platform. The proposed solution represents a clean, fully sustainable, low-carbon, zero-waste, energy efficient and resource recycling, commercially attractive technology, to be applied at the needed industrial and commercial scale.
Keywords:
anaerobic digestion, biorefinery, composting, microalgae, organic waste, green chemistry
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Algae production systems
Event:
24th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1CV.4.16
Pages:
294 - 299
ISBN:
978-88-89407-165
Paper DOI:
10.5071/24thEUBCE2016-1CV.4.16
Price:
FREE
