Influence of the physical parameters on the rheological properties of Chlorella sp cultivated in air lift type reactor

• Grant number: 17/16460-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2018
• End date: April 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Daniela Helena Pelegrine Guimarães
• Grantee: Carolina Roma
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Society is aware of the need to combine economic growth with environmental conditions. Several studies are being carried out to develop sustainable measures for energy production. In view of this, new raw materials have been tested. Microalgae have been shown to be an adequate environmental alternative because, in addition to accumulating lipids, they capture CO2 present in the atmosphere and absorb contaminants present in aquatic environments. This project is a part of a newly awarded project (Fapesp 2016/23416-6), aiming to analyze rheological behaviour of Chlorella sp suspensions cultivated in slurry 10% solution, in Air Lift reactor. The effects of the gaseous stream on the response variables: rheological parameters, biomass concentration and productivity in lipids. The rheological tests (in suspension and residual biomass after the oil extraction) will be done in the Brookfield Rheometer (model LVDV-3T), in an automated and temperature controlled manner, using the software Rheocalct and the thermostatic bath TC-550SD (both acquired in Project Fapesp 2016/23416-6). The tests will be performed in triplicate, using a new sample for each repetition. The readings will be made at each preprogrammed time interval and, for each point, deformation rate, shear stress, viscosity and temperature data will be obtained. (AU)