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Abstract
Microalgae are promising feedstock for sustainable biofuel and bioenergy production. Preprocessing of harvested biomass involves several technical challenges that prevent the commercial success of the technology. In this study, thin layer drying kinetics of mixed species microalgae consortium suitable for biofuel production was studied at different drying temperature of 30, 50, 70 and 90C. Effect of cell rupture pretreatments like French press, sonication and autoclave on the moisture removal rate, diffusivity and lipid properties of the consortium was also assessed. Pages model described the experimental moisture loss data of both ruptured and intact microalgal cells. It was also found that cell rupture had increased drying constant, effective diffusivity and the lipid extraction yield through solvent extraction and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction when compared to the intact cells.