ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate the harvesting of the microalgae chlorella sp by electrocoagulation using aluminum and iron plate as electrodes. The experiment was done using the batch method and used 1 liter of microalgae for each treatment, with a direct current that variated between 9, 12 and 15 volts, pH that variated from 9 to 11, and an operation time from 10 to 40 minutes. The results of the treatments were remarkably good and the efficiencies to Total Suspended Solids (TSS) as the amount of microalgae removed reached 51.55% using a current density of 8.3 mA cm-2 potential 15 volt, pH 11 for 30 min. The energy consumption at these optimal conditions was very low (0.163 kWhm−3). The proximate analysis of the chlorella biomass showed an ash content of 32.45%, fat content of 1.62%, water content of 15.32%, carbohydrate content of 32.15%, protein content of 34.86%, lipid content of 0.89%, carotenoid content of 37% and total choropil of 1.4%.
