Algae Harvester and Dehydrator

The goal of the project is to create an energy efficient device that will harvest algae from a photobioreactor, then dehydrate it to a 15% moisture content.

=Problem Definition= Biofuels have become more prevalent as scientists research alternatives to fossil fuels. Common feedstocks for biofuel such as soybean and canola oil have too low biofuel yields to sustain the amount of fuel used today. Algae oil has the potential to have much higher yield, making it a good feedstock option for biofuel. The problem with algae oil is it is difficult and expensive to grow, harvest, and dehydrate the algae so the lipids can be harvested and made into fuel. The goal of the Algae Harvester and Dehydrator project is to make a device that can harvest algae from a high water content, then dehydrate it to a 15% moisture content so it can be made into biofuel.

Deliverables
The device has certain requirements we must meet. There are some design specifications that are desired by the client, but not required. We will accommodate the desired specifications if we are able.

Required design specifications:

-The device must retrofit onto the photobioreactor made by a previous senior design team.

-The device must dehydrate the algae to at least a 15% moisture content.

-The device must be as energy efficient as possible.

Desired design specifications

-The device should be able to fit on a table top.

-A continuous flow instead of batch flow is preferred.

-The device should recycle the water back into the photobioreactor.

Specifications
=Design Considerations=

=Project Learning=         The design to the right is our design for a vertical cross flow dryer based off of a popcorn maker.

=Final Design=

=Validation=

=Team Members=

=Additional Documentation=

Project Schedule



Meeting Minutes

Presentations



Client Interview