Rheological properties of algae slurries for minimizing harvesting energy requirements in biofuel production

► Rheological properties of three algae species are reported as a function of biomass concentration. ► The slurries are modeled as power law fluids. ► At concentrations larger than 60 kg/m3 green algae species behaved as shear thinning fluids. ► Diatom species behaved as a Newtonian fluid for all concentrations up to 80 kg/m3. ► Limitations on pumping and dewatering processes are identified based on rheological properties.