Centrifugation
In terms of effective removal of biomass, centrifugation is possibly the most effective harvesting technique. Capturing efficiencies of over 90% have been recorded but the high energy consumption is a reason it is not seen as a sustainable solution.
Dassey and Theegala (2012) recently published a study which shows that by increasing the flow rate through the system, “the lower capture efficiencies (<90%) can be offset by the larger volumes of culture water processed through the centrifuge, resulting in net lower energy consumption.”
Centrifugation is likely to be most useful in a laboratory and its applicability in large, open environmental systems is dubious - particularly in an international context.
Dassey and Theegala (2012) recently published a study which shows that by increasing the flow rate through the system, “the lower capture efficiencies (<90%) can be offset by the larger volumes of culture water processed through the centrifuge, resulting in net lower energy consumption.”
Centrifugation is likely to be most useful in a laboratory and its applicability in large, open environmental systems is dubious - particularly in an international context.
