Abstract

Microalgae biorefinery, which produces carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, is a promising solution for addressing the energy crisis and food shortages. Sunlight-activated photocatalytic reactions have emerged as green strategies for microalgae biorefinery. In this study, a photocatalytic mesh microalgae biorefinery (PMMB) system was developed for the first time, which employed durable photocatalytic meshes to destroy algal cells while maintaining smooth fluid flow and preventing blockages. High efficiency was achieved by stacking photocatalytic meshes using appropriate parameters and providing the suitable temperature and UV irradiance through solar energy control. In addition, the optimal algal concentration of 4 g·L−1, which was used in the PMMB system, maximized biorefinery efficiency. Under actual weather conditions, the PMMB system converted microalgae into carbohydrates (293 mg·L−1), proteins (121 mg·L−1) and lipids (345 mg·L−1) within 60 h, demonstrating its practical feasibility. Compared with traditional microalgae biorefinery methods, PMMB has demonstrated superior economics, practical applicability, and effectiveness. The global applicability evaluation also suggested that the PMMB system could be accessible to all countries. Therefore, the PMMB system could be a green and efficient microalgae biorefinery system to support sustainable global development.

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