Drying and dewatering of algae Project Leader: Ron van Heijningen (Andritz Gouda) Researcher: Erwin Houtzager (Phycom), Chris Dotremont (VITO) E-mail: gouda@andritz.com Partners: Phycom BV, Andritz Gouda BV, VITO NV Objective: In this project, a combination is made of drying of a thin film algae mass with a low water fraction, a relative high product viscosity, a relative low energy input and a dried high value end product with high quality. To achieve these targets, a vacuum contact drum dryer is chosen in combination with a ceramic membrane separation technology Motivation: To serve the growing market for food grade algae, it is important to develop production processes and technologies which enable scale-up of this business while keeping product quality, stability, hygiene and energy efficiency. Project scope: Continuous vacuum contact dryer development Hygienic design concept Drying capacity increase Operator free operation by automation Technical and economical feasibility study on ceramic membrane technology Applicability: Energy efficient concentrating and mild drying of low and high viscous heat sensitive food products by using ceramic membranes and continuous (vacuum) contact drying technologies Results: Vacuum drum drying in continuous operation CIP design concept contact dryer Automation by in-line drum gap measurement and film detection Drying capacity increase by spray application CAPEX and OPEX evaluation of ceramic membrane technologies Figure 3: Hygenic design continous vacuum contact dryer Figure 1: Ceramic membrane cross flow filtration Figure 2: Thin film drum drying of algae concentrate This project is co-funded with subsidy from the Topsector Energie by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.