Abstract
Utilization of Dunaliella salina microalgae as a raw material for bioethanol production encountered problems in terms of harvesting microalgae. The dilute solution and the size of the microalgae are too small to be a challenge in harvesting microalgae. In this study, the surface modification of PVDF/LiCl membrane with Zeolite NaY and Zeolite-Carbon Composite (ZCC) was carried out by spray coating for harvesting Dunaliella salina microalgae. Zeolite NaY was synthesized by hydrothermal method at 100 °C for 7 h and ZCC was synthesized by sucrose impregnation on zeolite. All membranes were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) instruments, as well as Water Contact Angle (WCA) test and membrane performance test for harvesting Dunaliella salina microalgae The results showed that Zeolite NaY and ZCC coatings have been shown to increase the hydrophilicity and performance of PVDF/LiCl membranes for harvesting Dunaliella salina microalgae. The increase in the hydrophilicity of the membrane was indicated by decreasing the contact angle of the PVDF/LiCl membrane from 84.14° to 69.2° for 0.10% PVDF/LiCl/ZCC membrane. The coating of zeolite NaY 0.15% into PVDF/LiCl membrane enhanced the permeability from 148.53 ± 32.98 L/m2h to 173.40 ± 8.42 L/m2h, while the coating of 0.10% ZCC into PVDF/LiCl membrane enhanced the water permeability into 208.48 ± 27.99 L/m2h. Furthermore, the selectivity also increased from 97.64% to 100% rejection in microalgae dewatering process. This shows that selectively modified zeolite NaY and ZCC membranes are only able to pass seawater as a microalgae culture medium.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
