Author(s)

Djimako Bongo^1*, Nekoulnag Clarice², Jean-Mari Mbailao Mbaiguinam², Alexis Mouangue Naminina¹, Jean-Yves Champagne³, Salif Gaye⁴

¹National Institute of Science and Technology of Abeché, Abeché, Chad.
²Faculty of Exact and Applied Sciences, University of N’Djamena, N’Djamena, Chad.
³Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics INSA-Lyon, Lyon, France.
⁴LME Materials and Energetics Laboratory, University Institute of Technology, Thiès, Senegal.

The aim of this research work is to valorize the microalgae grown-up in an Airlift column. The system of fluid circulation and mass transfer is based on the principle of interaction between gas bubbles and a liquid. Thus, this study focuses on the phenomenon of the determination of the vacuum rate, the size and the speed of the bubbles including the optimization of microalgae development within the culture process. In addition, this study tries to understand the close relationship between these phenomena, its environment and the microalgae cell. These studies were conducted on the operation of an Airlift column in aquaculture, mainly in freshwater [1]. However, other researchers [2] are interested in studying saline water. In conclusion, a series of experiments were carried out in order to evaluate the profitability of the Microflotation technique, as a method of separation and concentration in microalgae. These results are very interesting since they reveal that the efficiency of the column, for the foaming-skimming function, is greater by working with less significant air injections, which lead to a reduction in energy cost.

Vacuum Column, Microalgae, Vacuum Rate, Bubble Size, Bubble Speed

Bongo, D. , Clarice, N. , Mbaiguinam, J. , Naminina, A. , Champagne, J. and Gaye, S. (2019) Improvement of the Microalgae Harvest by the “Foaming-Scumming” Function of an Airlift Column. Open Journal of Fluid Dynamics, 9, 63-71. doi: 10.4236/ojfd.2019.91004.