Search

With microalgal biofuels currently receiving much attention, there has been renewed interest in the combined use of high rate algal ponds (HRAP) for wastewater treatment and biofuel production. This combined use of HRAPs is considered to be an economically feasible option for biofuel production, however, increased microalgal productivity and nutrient removal together with reduced capital costs are needed before it can be commercially viable. Despite HRAPs being an established technology, microalgal photosynthesis and productivity is still limited in these ponds and is well below the theoretical maximum. This paper critically evaluates the parameters that limit microalgal light absorption and photosynthesis in wastewater HRAPs and examines biological, chemical and physical options for improving light absorption and utilisation, with the view of enhancing biomass production and nutrient removal., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

While research and development of algal biofuels are currently receiving much interest and funding, they are still not commercially viable at today's fossil fuel prices. However, a niche opportunity may exist where algae are grown as a by-product of high rate algal ponds (HRAPs) operated for wastewater treatment. In addition to significantly better economics, algal biofuel production from wastewater treatment HRAPs has a much smaller environmental footprint compared to commercial algal production HRAPs which consume freshwater and fertilisers. In this paper the critical parameters that limit algal cultivation, production and harvest are reviewed and practical options that may enhance the net harvestable algal production from wastewater treatment HRAPs including CO(2) addition, species control, control of grazers and parasites and bioflocculation are discussed., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A laboratory-scale hybrid-denitrification filter (HDF) was designed by combining a plant material digester and a denitrification filter into a single unit for the removal of nitrate and phosphorus from glasshouse hydroponic wastewater. The carbon to nitrate (C:N) ratio for efficient operation of the HDF was calculated to be 1.93:1 and the COD/BOD(5) ratio was 1.2:1. When the HDF was continuously operated with the plant material replaced every 2 days and 100% internal recirculation of the effluent, a high level of nitrate removal (320-5 mg N/L, >95% removal) combined with a low effluent sBOD(5) concentration (<5mg/L) was consistently achieved. Moreover, phosphate concentrations in the effluent were maintained below 7.5 mg P/L (>81% reduction). This study demonstrates the potential to combine a digester and a denitrification filter in a single unit to efficiently remove nitrate and phosphate from hydroponic wastewater in a single unit.

This study investigated the feasibility of using pre-treated plant liquors as organic carbon sources for the treatment of hydroponic wastewater containing high nitrate-N (>300 mg N/L). The waste plant material was pre-treated to extract organic carbon-rich liquors. When this plant liquor was used as an organic carbon source in denitrification filters at the organic carbon:nitrogen dose rate of 3C:N, nitrate removal efficiencies were >95% and final effluent nitrate concentrations were consistently <20mg N/L. However, at this dose rate, relatively high concentrations (>140 mg/L) of organic carbon (fBOD5) remained in the final effluents. Therefore, a 'compromise' organic carbon:nitrogen dose rate (2C:N) was trialled, at which nitrate removal efficiencies were maintained at >85%, final effluent nitrate concentrations were consistently below 45 mg N/L, and effluent fBOD5 concentrations were <25mg/L. This study has demonstrated that waste plant material is a suitable carbon source for the removal of nitrate from hydroponic wastewater in a denitrification filter.