Optimisation of Tray Drier Microalgae Dewatering Techniques Using Response Surface Methodology

Ruth Chinyere Anyanwu, Cristina Rodriguez, Andy Durrant and Abdul Ghani Olabi
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Ruth Chinyere Anyanwu: Institute of Engineering and Energy Technologies, School of Computing, Engineering and, Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK
Cristina Rodriguez: Institute of Engineering and Energy Technologies, School of Computing, Engineering and, Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK
Andy Durrant: Institute of Engineering and Energy Technologies, School of Computing, Engineering and, Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK
Abdul Ghani Olabi: School of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 9, 1-10

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: microalgae; biomass; tray drier; dewatering; renewable energy; design expert (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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