MICROALGAE DISRUPTION IN A WET ROUTE USING A MICROFLUIDIC COMBINED WITH SONICATION
Disruption, Microalgae, Wet route, Ultrasound, Microsystem
The study of microalgae for the production of biofuels is promising and is associated with the lipid content contained inside the microalgae. Analyzing the method of cell wall disruption is, therefore, essential to access this component. Disruption and lipid extraction are steps that have a high energy cost, thus, in a biorefinery, for technical and economic feasibility, the wet route process is the most suitable for operating in milder conditions and enabling the maximization of recovery and enhancement of microalgae components. One of the methods studied for cell lysis in a wet environment in other areas is ultrasound, and microfluid technology has been analyzed to increase transfer phenomena. Thus, this work will provide a proposal for microalgae disruption combined with wet extraction using microfluid technology and observing the influence on the disruption of the ultrasound coupled to the unit. For this, the assembly and evaluation of the microsystem and the sonification system will be proposed, as well as the evaluation of the variation in the effects of microalgae concentration, the ratio of solvents for extraction and the flow rate of each of the inputs of the microfluid unit in the disruption. The analysis to be proposed for the assessment of disruption will be through the lipid content. Thus, the choices of the route and the best method for the occurrence of microalgae disruption can lead to great savings and generate profits for a biorefinery due to the high added value products that can be produced.