Recent advances in microalgae harvesting and dewatering: A techno-economic evaluation perspective

Abstract

Commercial-scale microalgal production faces significant challenges, particularly in harvesting and dewatering, which account for 20–30 % of production costs. The energy-intensive nature of dewatering and the diverse properties of microalgal species further required cost-effective harvesting methods. This review examines recent advances in microalgal harvesting and recovery, evaluating emerging hybrid systems that address the critical limitations of traditional techniques while emphasizing their role in resource recovery and energy efficiency. Furthermore, this study presents a novel techno-economic perspective by integrating harvesting technologies with an overview of their environmental and economic impacts. These approaches distinguish this work from previous reviews by focusing on microalgae harvesting methods' practical scalability and commercial feasibility. This review bridges the gap between laboratory research and large-scale industrial applications by providing detailed insights into energy consumption, processing costs, and resource retrieval. This study contributes to the advancement of sustainable bio-economy development by providing actionable strategies.