Developing nanocellulose-based recyclable flocculants for flotation harvesting of microalgae (AlgaeFLOAT)

Microalgae comprise a novel and attractive biomass feedstock that requires negligible arable land and resources. However, their small size (1–10 µm) and low biomass concentration in the liquid culture medium (~1 g/L) present considerable challenges to the successful harvesting of microalgal biomass. One solution is to combine reversible bio-based flocculants with fast separating and concentrated sludge yielding flotation processes, which have the added benefit of ensuring low environmental impact and reduced process costs. The EU-funded AlgaeFLOAT project will develop a sustainable microalgal harvesting technology that will build on and further improve low-cost, bio-based flocculants derived from cellulose based on conventional and advanced dissolved air flotation processes.