Characterization of the solar drying of Tetraselmis sp. for biofuel production using a laboratory-scale setup and statistical analysis

• Main Authors: Lopez, Neil Stephen A., Ubando, Aristotle T., Biona, Jose Bienvenido Manuel M., Tan, Raymond Girard R., Culaba, Alvin B., Garibay, Soledad S., Toledo, Nieves A., Jimenez, Caridad N., Pahila, Ida G., Ami, Letty S.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2012
• Subjects: Microalgae—Drying; Solar heating—Equipment and supplies; Engineering
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/6615
• Institution: De La Salle University

Microalgae is one of the most promising sources of biofuel, but its high initial moisture content remains a hindrance to efficient lipid extraction. According to Halim, et al. (2011), the lipid yield of dried microalgae is 33% higher than wet microalgae using hexane extraction. In this study, Tetraselmis sp. was dried using a laboratory-scale set up simulating a solar dryer. The direct radiation (Qr), air flow rate (V1) and convective heat input to the inlet air (Qci) were the control variables. Statistical analysis showed that Qr is limited by the chamber temperature, which is largely controlled by Qci. With regards to Vf, increasing its results to less energy-efficient drying. As a conclusion, it can be derived that the drying rate is best at high Qci and low Vf. Also, Qr significantly improves the drying rate. Finally, when modeling drying rate, it is best to describe it as a function of chamber temperature and mass flow rate instead of Vf and heat input.