For the implementation of the project, a strategy has been developed with a clear division and sequence of actions that consist of six separate and autonomous Task Units (TU), among which there is a specific information exchange and feedback aimed at achieving the project objectives.
TU1: Pioneering process for optimal microalgae biomass production by selected strains
The TU1 aims to develop an innovative culture technology for selected microalgae strains that will allow high productivity and selective targeting of intracellular primary products (proteins, lipids, sugars) with the prospect of being nutrients that will quantitatively increase productivity and quality of primary animal production but will also upgrade quality and secondary production of human food products.
ACTION 1.1: Laboratory studies evaluating selected microalgae strains in terms of productivity and biomass composition.
ACTION 1.2: Development of cultivation strategies of microalgae for high productivity of selected products.
ACTION 1.3: Innovative closed system for the cultivation of high productivity microalgae.
ACTION 1.4: Study of scaling up and possibility of continuous operation of the proposed microalgae cultivation technology.
TU2: Efficient use of light energy for photosynthetic systems
TU2 aims to develop multifunctional materials that combine photonic and magnetic properties. The purpose is to use these materials in microalgae cultures to achieve an increase in their growth rate, especially under conditions of lack or reduction of light intensity (solar or artificial).
ACTION 2.1: Synthesis of inorganic luminescent particles of selected light wavelength.
ACTION 2.2: Optimization of particle intensity and duration of radiation.
ACTION 2.3: Combination of luminosity and magnetism in the particles.
ACTION 2.4: Characterization and evaluation of particle properties.
TU3: Evaluation of the nutritional dynamics of microalgae
The object of TU3 is the complete characterization, quantitative and qualitative, of the intracellular biomass content of the selected microalgae strains and the assessment of the perspective of each of the components of interest (protein fraction, fatty acid fraction, sugar fraction, antioxidants, antioxidants) and / or a mixture thereof as additives for human food products or as substitutes for feed and fish farming products.
ACTION 3.1: Analysis of protein and sugars content of microalgae biomass.
ACTION 3.2: Laboratory scale recovery and microalgae fat fraction analysis.
ACTION 3.3: Evaluation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, characterization, and evaluation of other ingredients as additives in human food products.
TU4: Utilization of individual fractions of microalgae biomass in the agri-food chain
The TU4 aims to develop a technology for the production of feed and fish farming products by incorporating ingredients of high biological value from pre-treated microalgae biomass. In addition, in TU4 a study will be conducted on the acceptance of these foods by the respective living populations at different stages of their development as well as experimental development of an innovative human food product enriched with microalgae ingredients with the ultimate goal of highlighting its advantages compared to relevant conventional products, in human health.
ACTION 4.1: Experimental development of fish feed with the addition of microalgae biomass.
ACTION 4.2: Experimental development of poultry feed with the addition of microalgae biomass.
ACTION 4.3: Experimental development of human food products with the addition of microalgae biomass components.
TU5: Energy recovery and environmental management of process residues
The object of TU5 is the management and utilization of the residual, low value-added, collateral currents of the processes that will be implemented in the proposed project (TU1, TU3 and TU4). The TU5 will explore different ways of utilizing these waste streams for the production of high value-added chemicals and biofuels, in order to increase resource efficiency, optimize the energy of the proposed biorefinery and / or commercialize new products. Specifically, the proposed technological scheme includes: a) the liquefaction of the residual biomass for chemical production, and b) the catalytic upgrade of the produced lipids, as well as the liquefied biomass, through hydrogen treatment, for the production of biofuels, on a pilot scale.
ACTION 5.1: Characterization of residual currents.
ACTION 5.2: Hydrothermal liquefaction of residual microalgae biomass for the production of high value-added chemicals.
ACTION 5.3: Hydrogen treatment of lipids & liquefied biomass for biofuel production.
TU6: Study of sustainability and commercial exploitation of the proposed technology and development of extroversion of the project
The object of the TU6 is the development of a business plan that will allow the commercial utilization of the technology that will be produced in the project, and the highlighting-documentation with financial figures of some new proposed markets, thus attracting the investment interest as a priority of the project Entrepreneurs. The integrated approach to this goal presupposes an analysis of environmental impact and energy footprint as well as an economic analysis of project viability.
ACTION 6.1: Life cycle analysis of targeted nutrients.
ACTION 6.2: Techno-economic study and analysis of project viability.
ACTION 6.3: Strategy for commercial exploitation of microalgae technology by the business entities of the project.
ACTION 6.4: Dissemination of technological findings and innovation elements of the project.