Rotary drum filtering machine for algae filtration

A method for filtration of harvested algae, the method comprising steps of:

• providing a rotary drum filter for harvesting algae from a liquid stream containing algae, the rotary drum filter comprising:
• a filtration drum (20), rotatably mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, the filtration drum (20) comprising:
• a filtration basket (23) disposed within the filtration drum (20), comprising a mesh netting (24) thermally coupled to the filtration basket (23) and capable of retaining algae as liquid passes through the mesh netting (24) when the filtration drum (20) is rotated;
• a rotating mechanism, configured to rotate the filtration drum (20);
• an inlet pipe (65), configured for feeding the liquid stream containing the algae into the filtration drum (20);
• a scraper (30), disposed within the filtration basket (23) and adjacent an internal surface of the filtration basket (23) for scraping filtered algae off the internal surface;
• a collector (40), disposed within the filtration basket (23) and positioned so that it may collect scraped filtered algae;
• and
• an outlet pipe (67), configured for removal of collected filtered algae;
• introducing a liquid stream containing algae into the filtration drum through the inlet pipe;
• rotating the filtration drum causing liquid to flow through the mesh netting while retaining algae on the internal surface;
• scraping off the algae retained on the internal surface;
• collecting the scraped off algae in the collector;
• and
• removing the collected algae through the outlet pipe.