Optimization of Chlorella saccharophila harvesting by surfactant-aided dispersed air flotation for biodiesel production processes

Surfactant-aided dispersed air flotation was investigated as a low cost microalgae harvesting technique for biodiesel, using the microalgae Chlorella saccharophila and the surfactant CTAB (cetyl trimethylammonium bromide). Response Surface Methodology (Box-Behnken design) was used for optimization of both recovery and concentration factor. The effects of CTAB concentration, column height, pH and air flow rate were investigated. The measured...