SPpPU and TUHH Scientists creates closed-loop technology from microalgae

Researchers of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU) in collaboration with Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) completed an international joint project to create a resource and CO2-neutral energy closed-loop technology from microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana and duckweed Lemna minor. According to Professor  Kerstin Kuchta, Vice president of TUHH and the project coordinator from the German side, the main objective of the project was development and implementation of an innovative approach for microalgae and duckweed bio-refinery to produce valuable products with further utilization of residual biomass for wastewater treatment and energy generation. “In the process of project implementation, several technological solutions were developed and patented: obtaining lipids for biofuels, obtaining pectin and pigments for nutrition purposes, obtaining sorbents for water purification, as well as obtaining biogas from algae waste to generate energy,” said Natalia Politaeva, the professor of  Higher School of Hydrotechnical and Power Engineering SPbPU, and the project supervisor from the Russian side.