AbstractBy using different flocculant concentrations and temperatures with a tannin‐based flocculant, chitosan, and ferric chloride, the performance of a combined flocculation and membrane separation process in microalgal suspensions was evaluated. Permeate flux experiments were conducted for 30 min, and the effects of the flocculant concentration and temperature were analyzed. The zeta potential of the culture with and without flocculant approached zero with increasing temperature, in favor of microalgal cell agglomeration. At 40 °C, crossflow microfiltration showed a 27 % improvement in the permeate flux compared to 20 °C. Overall, the results showed a significant potential use of flocculants with increasing temperature, by providing considerably higher permeated fluxes.