Department Seminar of Prof. Alexander Golberg- Process Engineering of a Sustainable Ulva Biorefinery: Integration of Pulsed Electric Fields, Hydrothermal Liquefaction, and Fermentation Technologies
Process Engineering of a Sustainable Ulva Biorefinery: Integration of Pulsed Electric Fields, Hydrothermal Liquefaction, and Fermentation Technologies
Monday May 5th 2025 at 14:00
Wolfson Building of Mechanical Engineering, Room 206
Abstract:
The global shift toward sustainable bioeconomies necessitates advanced process engineering approaches for biomass conversion. This seminar presents the development of an integrated biorefinery process based on Ulva sp., a fast-growing macroalga, utilizing high-voltage pulsed electric fields (PEF), hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), and open fermentation. Ulva cultivation modeling and offshore system design are discussed, addressing growth kinetics, large-scale deployment challenges, and infrastructure requirements for reliable biomass production.The seminar details process intensification strategies: PEF for cell disruption and enhanced extraction of biomolecules, HTL for thermochemical conversion into biocrude and biochar, and open fermentation for biopolymer (PHA) production. Emphasis is placed on batch-to-continuous system transitions, flow dynamics, energy efficiency, and scalability — key aspects critical for engineering economically viable biorefinery operations. Critical challenges, including offshore deployment logistics, regulatory frameworks, biomass standardization, and process control, are analyzed from an engineering systems perspective. Strategies for real-time monitoring, process optimization, and modular design to enable rapid scale-up are discussed.This work illustrates how mechanical engineering principles in system integration, thermofluid analysis, and process control can enable sustainable biomass valorization. Future directions involve advancing continuous-flow processing, offshore cultivation technologies, and valorization pathways to create circular, resource-efficient industrial ecosystems.
Bio:
Professor Alexander Golberg is a Full Professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering at Tel Aviv University. He holds a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and completed postdoctoral fellowships at UC Berkeley and Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on process engineering for sustainable food systems, biorefineries, and biomass valorization, integrating high-voltage pulsed electric fields, hydrothermal liquefaction, and advanced fermentation technologies. Professor Golberg applies mechanical and chemical engineering principles to biomanufacturing, offshore cultivation systems, and scalable bioplastic and biofuel production. He has co-founded two startups in the fields of medical diagnostics and seaweed protein technologies and has authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications. His work has been widely recognized with several awards, including a recent election as a Senior Member of the U.S. National Academy of Inventors.
