Room: Poster Area
Date: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Time: 11:30 - 12:45 CEST
Session code 3CV.4
Processes and concepts
Microalgae-Based Biorefinery for High-Purity Phycoerythrin Production toward a Circular Economy
Short Introductive summary
This work presents an innovative and sustainable multiproduct biorefinery approach that seamlessly integrates process optimization, waste reutilization and valorization, and the production of high-value-added bioproducts. The proposed system is structured around three key pillars: (i) the production of high-purity phycoerythrin (PE) from the unicellular red microalga Porphyridium sp.; (ii) the valorization of the spent biomass obtained after pigment extraction to produce bio-crude and biogas via thermochemical and biological conversion pathways; and (iii) the sustainability assessment of the overall biorefinery through life cycle assessment (LCA). This approach seeks to provide a technically and economically viable alternative by leveraging the higher market value of bioproducts in comparison with biofuels alone. In parallel, it aims to identify the main environmental hotspots within the biorefinery and to propose feasible improvements or alternative strategies, thereby enhancing the overall sustainability, and resource efficiency of algal biorefineries.
Presenter
Alejandro PIERA
Rey Juan Carlos University, Chemical and Environmental Technology, SPAIN
Presenter's biography
I hold a Ph.D. in Industrial Technologies Engineering and I am Lecturer (Assistant) in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Technology at Rey Juan Carlos University. My research focuses on the development of biorefinery processes (high value compounds, biofuels, process simulation and LCA).
Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited
Co-authors:
J.J. Espada, Rey Juan Carlos University, Mostoles, SPAIN
R. RodrÃguez, Rey Juan Carlos University, Mostoles, SPAIN
V. Morales, Rey Juan Carlos University, Mostoles, SPAIN
G. Vicente, Rey Juan Carlos University, Mostoles, SPAIN
L.F. Bautista, Rey Juan Carlos University, Mostoles, SPAIN
Session reference: 3CV.4.16