The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomass separation of the small size microalgae Chlorella sp. by electrochemical flotation process with rectangle electrodes using aluminum or iron plates. | Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology 55 (4C) (2017) 14-19 RESEARCH ON HARVESTING OF MICROALGAE CHLORELLA SP. BY ELECTROCHEMICAL FLOTATION METHOD USING CORROSIVE ELECTRODES Ha Vinh Hung*, Vuong Van Quy, Doan Thi Thai Yen School of Environmental Science and Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, 1 Dai Co Viet, Ha Noi * Email: Received: 15 June 2017; Accepted for publication: 16 October 2017 ABSTRACT Microalgae are a promising feedstock for biodiesel production. Harvesting of microalgal biomass is still a bottleneck to its commercial scale application, due to small cell size, low culture densities, colloidal stability and thus economic disadvantage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomass separation of the small size microalgae Chlorella sp. by electrochemical flotation process with rectangle electrodes using aluminum or iron plates. The most effective conditions for this experiment involved the use of an aluminum electrode for 30 min with a current density of mA/cm2, whereas the iron electrode has been used ineffectively with the same of conditions. The effect of current density (–3 mA/cm2), concentration of microalgae biomass (– g/L), and electrolyte (0–2 g/L) for aluminum electrode were analyzed. The highest recovery efficiency of 90 % was obtained for Chlorella sp. at mA/cm2 in 30 min and concentration of microalgae biomass of - g/L with power consumption of kWh/kg. The electrochemical flotation process with aluminum electrodes could be a possible harvesting step at commercial scale for microalgal biomass production. Keywords: microalgae, electroflotation harvesting, aluminum electrode, Chlorella sp., biofuel. 1. INTRODUCTION In the last decades, studies on microalgae have increased due to the wide range of applications and its environmental benefits. Microalgae can be used as feedstock for the production of biofuels such as biodiesel, biomethane, bioethanol, biohydrogen and
