Solar-powered electroflocculation harvesting system for nutraceutical
coupled biodiesel production from marine microalga Chlorella vulgaris
(NIOT-74)
Abstract
Harvesting of microalgae is essentially the most energy intensive
process in commercial algal culture ventures. Developing innovative,
cost effective harvesting systems is of paramount need for commercial
algal culture ventures. The study thus aimed at investigating the use of
eco-friendly Solar Powered Electroflocculation (SPEF) coupled with
battery for harvesting marine microalgae using aluminium electrodes.
Optimization of various operating parameters like initial algal density,
time of operation (5, 10, 15 and 30 min), (initial biomass concentration
0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 gL-1) and electrode distance (35, 55, 75 and 95 cms)
were done using direct current (D.C). Best flocculation efficiency
(91.31 ± 2.91 %) was obtained using a current density of 37.2 Acm-2, a
voltage of 24 V for 15 min at an electrode distance of 95 cm and pH 8.0.
The quality of the harvested biomass was ascertained in-terms of
biochemical components using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy,
total lipid and pigment profile. Due to the low resistance of seawater
the energy required for electroflocculation was as low as 0.223 kWh/ton.
The energy requirement for the electroflocculation system with or
without solar power was also predicted. The results revealed SPEF can be
developed as a potential alternative marine microalgal harvesting system
for nutraceutical coupled biodiesel production.