Membrane Technologies for Bioengineering Microalgae: Sustainable Applications in Biomass Production, Carbon Capture, and Industrial Wastewater Valorization
In accordance with growing environmental pressures and the demand for sustainable industrial practices, membrane technologies have emerged as key enablers for increasing efficiency, reducing emissions, and supporting circular processes across multiple sectors. This review focuses on the integration...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Membranes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/7/205 |
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| author | Michele Greque Morais Gabriel Martins Rosa Luiza Moraes Larissa Chivanski Lopes Jorge Alberto Vieira Costa |
| author_facet | Michele Greque Morais Gabriel Martins Rosa Luiza Moraes Larissa Chivanski Lopes Jorge Alberto Vieira Costa |
| author_sort | Michele Greque Morais |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In accordance with growing environmental pressures and the demand for sustainable industrial practices, membrane technologies have emerged as key enablers for increasing efficiency, reducing emissions, and supporting circular processes across multiple sectors. This review focuses on the integration among microalgae-based systems, offering innovative and sustainable solutions for biomass production, carbon capture, and industrial wastewater treatment. In cultivation, membrane photobioreactors (MPBRs) have demonstrated biomass productivity up to nine times greater than that of conventional systems and significant reductions in water (above 75%) and energy (approximately 0.75 kWh/m<sup>3</sup>) footprints. For carbon capture, hollow fiber membranes and hybrid configurations increase CO<sub>2</sub> transfer rates by up to 300%, achieving utilization efficiencies above 85%. Coupling membrane systems with industrial effluents has enabled nutrient removal efficiencies of up to 97% for nitrogen and 93% for phosphorus, contributing to environmental remediation and resource recovery. This review also highlights recent innovations, such as self-forming dynamic membranes, magnetically induced vibration systems, antifouling surface modifications, and advanced control strategies that optimize process performance and energy use. These advancements position membrane-based microalgae systems as promising platforms for carbon-neutral biorefineries and sustainable industrial operations, particularly in the oil and gas, mining, and environmental technology sectors, which are aligned with global climate goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e8e52575beee45208cb10fbf71af9199 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2077-0375 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Membranes |
| spelling | doaj-art-e8e52575beee45208cb10fbf71af91992025-08-20T03:32:14ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752025-07-0115720510.3390/membranes15070205Membrane Technologies for Bioengineering Microalgae: Sustainable Applications in Biomass Production, Carbon Capture, and Industrial Wastewater ValorizationMichele Greque Morais0Gabriel Martins Rosa1Luiza Moraes2Larissa Chivanski Lopes3Jorge Alberto Vieira Costa4Laboratory of Microbiology and Biochemistry, College of Chemistry and Food Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande 96203-900, RS, BrazilLaboratory of Biochemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Food Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande 96203-900, RS, BrazilLaboratory of Biochemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Food Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande 96203-900, RS, BrazilLaboratory of Biochemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Food Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande 96203-900, RS, BrazilLaboratory of Biochemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Food Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande 96203-900, RS, BrazilIn accordance with growing environmental pressures and the demand for sustainable industrial practices, membrane technologies have emerged as key enablers for increasing efficiency, reducing emissions, and supporting circular processes across multiple sectors. This review focuses on the integration among microalgae-based systems, offering innovative and sustainable solutions for biomass production, carbon capture, and industrial wastewater treatment. In cultivation, membrane photobioreactors (MPBRs) have demonstrated biomass productivity up to nine times greater than that of conventional systems and significant reductions in water (above 75%) and energy (approximately 0.75 kWh/m<sup>3</sup>) footprints. For carbon capture, hollow fiber membranes and hybrid configurations increase CO<sub>2</sub> transfer rates by up to 300%, achieving utilization efficiencies above 85%. Coupling membrane systems with industrial effluents has enabled nutrient removal efficiencies of up to 97% for nitrogen and 93% for phosphorus, contributing to environmental remediation and resource recovery. This review also highlights recent innovations, such as self-forming dynamic membranes, magnetically induced vibration systems, antifouling surface modifications, and advanced control strategies that optimize process performance and energy use. These advancements position membrane-based microalgae systems as promising platforms for carbon-neutral biorefineries and sustainable industrial operations, particularly in the oil and gas, mining, and environmental technology sectors, which are aligned with global climate goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/7/205microalgae biorefinerymembrane photobioreactorsporous membrane materialssustainable developmentenvironmental technologies |
| spellingShingle | Michele Greque Morais Gabriel Martins Rosa Luiza Moraes Larissa Chivanski Lopes Jorge Alberto Vieira Costa Membrane Technologies for Bioengineering Microalgae: Sustainable Applications in Biomass Production, Carbon Capture, and Industrial Wastewater Valorization Membranes microalgae biorefinery membrane photobioreactors porous membrane materials sustainable development environmental technologies |
| title | Membrane Technologies for Bioengineering Microalgae: Sustainable Applications in Biomass Production, Carbon Capture, and Industrial Wastewater Valorization |
| title_full | Membrane Technologies for Bioengineering Microalgae: Sustainable Applications in Biomass Production, Carbon Capture, and Industrial Wastewater Valorization |
| title_fullStr | Membrane Technologies for Bioengineering Microalgae: Sustainable Applications in Biomass Production, Carbon Capture, and Industrial Wastewater Valorization |
| title_full_unstemmed | Membrane Technologies for Bioengineering Microalgae: Sustainable Applications in Biomass Production, Carbon Capture, and Industrial Wastewater Valorization |
| title_short | Membrane Technologies for Bioengineering Microalgae: Sustainable Applications in Biomass Production, Carbon Capture, and Industrial Wastewater Valorization |
| title_sort | membrane technologies for bioengineering microalgae sustainable applications in biomass production carbon capture and industrial wastewater valorization |
| topic | microalgae biorefinery membrane photobioreactors porous membrane materials sustainable development environmental technologies |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/7/205 |
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