1. Drying and dewatering of algae
Project Leader: Ron van Heijningen (Andritz Gouda)
Researcher: Erwin Houtzager (Phycom), Chris Dotremont (VITO)
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.