Optimisation of Tray Drier Microalgae Dewatering Techniques Using Response Surface Methodology

Energies

RuthChinyere Anyanwu¹  Cristina Rodriguez¹  Andy Durrant¹  AbdulGhani Olabi² 

[1] Institute of Engineering and Energy Technologies, School of Computing, Engineering and, Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK;School of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK;

关键词: microalgae;    biomass;    tray drier;    dewatering;    renewable energy;    design expert;   

DOI  :  10.3390/en11092327

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The feasibility of the application of a tray drier in dewatering microalgae was investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on Central Composite Design (CCD) was used to evaluate and optimise the effect of air temperature and air velocity as independent variables on the dewatering efficiency as a response function. The significance of independent variables and their interactions was tested by means of analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a 95% confidence level. Results indicate that the air supply temperature was the main parameter affecting dewatering efficiency, while air velocity had a slight effect on the process. The optimum operating conditions to achieve maximum dewatering were determined: air velocities and temperatures ranged between 4 to 10 m/s and 40 to 56 °C respectively. An optimised dewatering efficiency of 92.83% was achieved at air an velocity of 4 m/s and air temperature of 48 °C. Energy used per 1 kg of dry algae was 0.34 kWh.

【 授权许可】

Unknown