Optimization of the flocculation process of Chlorella sp for biodiesel production

• Grant number: 13/24359-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2014
• End date: August 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Metabolism and Bioenergetics
• Principal Investigator: Messias Borges Silva
• Grantee: Felype Augusto Leitão
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Microalgae are a promising source of biomass for biofuel production, therefore, becomes a viable alternative to research renewable energy sources. Thus, the focus of this project is to optimize the process of flocculation of a marine species of microalgae chlorella genre under controlled conditions in order to obtain greater performance in harvesting conditions and maximize the process. The factors that will be monitored are: growth conditions, pH of flocculation process, Concentration Saline and flocculation time. Optimization of flocculation will be studied according to the performance in harvesting and the effects of control will be studied through the statistical Taguchi Method. The experiments use an orthogonal array L9 Taguchi operating with four factors at three levels each, performed in triplicate.