SiC/Si ceramic hollow fibres: A new approach to <scp> <i>C</i> <i>hlorella vulgaris</i> </scp> biomass harvesting

Abstract Efficient harvesting of microalgae is a critical challenge for the viability of biorefineries, requiring technologies that combine high selectivity, low cost, and scalability. The current work evaluated the performance of an asymmetric hollow fibre ceramic membrane (HF‐SiC70Si30), fabricated by phase inversion and sintered at 1250°C, in the harvesting of Chlorella vulgaris . The membrane exhibited a hydraulic permeability of 332 L m −2 h −1 bar −1 and 100% cell retention, attributed to its hierarchical porous structure and hydrophilicity (contact angle: 71.95°). Fouling analyses showed that cake formation was the dominant mechanism ( R 2 = 0.89), with 86.7% of the resistance being reversible, allowing 85 % of the flux to be recovered after backwashing. The low‐temperature sintering (1250°C) and mechanical robustness of HF‐SiC70Si30 highlight its potential for industrial applications, overcoming the limitations of conventional polymer and ceramic membranes.