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This study focused on the determination of biochemical methane potential of three different microalgae, Chlorella sp., Neochloris conjuncta, and Botryococcus braunii, and evaluation of the digestates as biofertilizers for corn growth. Biomethane Potential Test Unit consisting of twelve 2‐L flasks placed in temperature controlled water at 37°C was utilized. As Botryococcus braunii had the highest lipid content (9.54%), it also had the highest biochemical methane potential (290.63 N mL g−1 volatile solid). The digestates containing microalgae and inoculum were applied to corn plant with four application dosages (0 [control], 5, 10, and 15 t ha−1) based on dry mass. Results emphasized that the lowest dosage (5 t ha−1) of the digestates containing Chlorella sp. and inoculum (digested dairy manure with silage maize) increased plant dry weights by 9% and 23%, respectively. However, further increase in the dosages of the digestates containing Botryococcus braunii and Neochloris conjuncta resulted in a decrease of plant growth and nutrients uptake by corn plants from the soil. Results highlighted that increment of the dosages of the digestates containing Botryococcus braunii and Neochloris conjuncta led to a decrease of plant growth and nutrient uptake from soil. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13024, 2019

Drying is one of the most important process in the cultivation of microalgae. Performance of drying depends on appropriate drying methods. This study aimed (1) to determine the effect of different drying methods on the Chlorella sp., Neochloris conjuncta, and Botryococcus braunii strains and (2) to identify the most suitable model for drying methods. Chlorella sp., Neochloris conjuncta and Botryococcus braunii cultures were grown in basal medium in raceways at the greenhouse condition in Isparta province. During experiment, air temperature and relative humidity, wind speed, solar irradiance, wet and dry mass and temperature of microalgae biomass were measured. Drying applications continued for approximately 3 days. Microalgae were dried at solar tunnel, outdoor, and greenhouse conditions. Furthermore, the effect of drying methods such as open sun, solar tunnel, and greenhouse drying on drying time, and drying ratio of microalgae have been investigated. The drying data were applied to ten different mathematical models, namely, Newton, Page, Henderson and Pabis, Logarithmic, Midilli and Kucuk, Wang and Singh, Two Term, Two Term Exponential, Weibull and Logistic Equation Models. The performance of these models were compared according to the coefficient of determination, standard error of estimate and residual sum of squares, between the observed and predicted moisture ratios. Results showed that the Weibull equation gave the best prediction to the drying kinetics evidenced by coefficient of determination ranging from 0.9959 -0.9992 for all drying methods. In addition, solar tunnel drying method has been determined to be the most suitable one among tested methods for drying of microalgae. . J. of Food Engineering. 2002; 55 pp:209-216. Yaldiz O, Ertekin C and Uzun HI.. Mathematical modelling of thin layer solar drying of Sultana grapes. Energy. 2001; 26. 457-465.

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