Quantitative energy analysis of densification and harvesting techniques

The energy viability of different mechanical algae harvest techniques will be investigated: centrifugation, filtration, ultrasonic densification, microburbujeo. Each technique will be contrasted with prior densification processes with different coagulant and flocculant materials and the energy intensity of each harvest process as a unit of energy consumed per unit of biomass production unit will be quantified. Possible cellular damage and toxicity of densification and harvesting techniques and their influence on the lipid concentration of cargo cells by microscopy and soxhlet extraction will be analyzed respectively. Together with the preceding project, the complete cycle of analysis of the viability of the use of the biomass will be closed of effluents of wastewater treatment plants for the production of biofuels, defining the most viable families and genres and the most advantageous technical and environmental conditions for our environment.

XIII UNIVERSITY COMPETITION FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS