Microalgae photobioreactors integrated into combustion processes: A patent-based analysis to map technological trends

Combustion processes contribute to the deleterious products emission in the environment. This has stimulated the development of disruptive technologies with mitigation potential, which race with climate change in real-time, such as those based on microalgae. Many works are often published on this subject, but evaluation of technological trends involving patents is poorly investigated. The aim of work is to analyze the state-of-the-art of microalgae photobioreactors integrated into combustion processes through a technological mapping based on a patent survey. The Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) criteria were considered. More than 700 patent families were mapped. The results indicated an increase in the applications since 2007–2013 and reduction in the contributions of new documents in recent years. The leading countries in patents are represented by USA and China, responsible for 20 and 12%, respectively. This analysis suggests that it is possible to inform investment strategies of decision-makers and help researchers identify technical barriers and potential research. [Display omitted] •A patent landscape on disruptive microalgae technologies to mitigate CO2 is provided.•Analysis indicates a growing interest in patenting activity the selected processes.•The geographic distribution of the leading contributing countries is highlighted.•The innovative profile of the top inventions is presented and compared.•Microalgal photobioreactor engineering is crucial to enable large-scale operation.