부산대학교 도서관

The growing world demand for food and energy has given prominence to the potential use of microalgae in the context of green energy. Bioscientists from several countries have confirmed the great potential of algal bio-products to reduce the pressure on nonrenewable resources. On the other hand, myriad technological bottlenecks in large-scale cultivation have resulted in an increased costs and energy consumption, which has further curbed the commercialization of microalgae-based products. Hence, several researches have been carried out to reduce the final production cost through minimizing energy consumption as well as maximizing biomass productivity. Approaches such as minimizing resources usage, recycling of energy, reusing of material, decreasing emission, and also increasing the yield of products in up- and mainstream processes have been surveyed through patents in order to integrate and intensify processes related to microalgae-based systems. This chapter reviews international patents related to technical methodologies that can be employed to increase the productivity and also decrease pollution and energy waste. Information derived from online databases was meta-analyzed to throw light on the current status of intensification of microalgae- based systems. Process integration and intensification through research and innovation helps to well-organize energy management systems, making them considerably smaller, with the ability to deliver cleaner and safer processes. Resources integration by the efficient usage/recycling of energy and material will finally reduce the production cost; accordingly, concentrated economic benefits will provide more costeffective products for the manufacturer and the consumer, simultaneously.