As one might be aware, algae are important bioremediation agents, and are already being used as a potential avenue for waste water treatment by many facilities. This blog briefs some of the\u00a0 research efforts and global activities on algae based waste water treatment that has taken place in the past few years.<\/p>\n
Efforts by Worldwide Universities<\/b><\/p>\n
Researchers at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain<\/b> are focusing on cultivating algae biomass using waste water which will be subsequently harvested for biogas generation in anaerobic digesters. \u00a0(February 2013)<\/p>\n
Researchers at New Mexico State University – NMSU<\/b> are testing a variety of inexpensive prototype photobioreactors for an algae production\/wastewater treatment system. Essentially enclosed plastic bag containers, these bioreactor systems are heated by the sun, prevent water evaporation and retain carbon dioxide for algae photosynthesis. The bioreactors are being tested at the Fabian Garcia Science Center with other algae cultivation equipment. The approach is being called the POWER \u2013 photosynthetically oxygenated waste-to-energy recovery<\/b>. This system, if successful will provide a more sustainable method for treating wastewater, a new viable approach to producing electric power and liquid biofuels, and a revenue stream to offset infrastructure improvements. (March 2013)<\/p>\n
California Polytechnic State University – Cal Poly and the city of San Luis Obispo<\/b> unveiled a pilot project to test the viability of using algae to treat wastewater. The project at San Luis Obispo\u2019s sewage treatment plant has been under construction and consists of nine algae-rich ponds that circulate wastewater. Fueled by sunlight, the algae feed on pollutants in the wastewater. This results in cleaner water and an increased volume of oil-rich algae that can be converted to products such as liquid biofuel or fertilizer (January 2012)<\/p>\n
Researchers at the Utah State University<\/b> are researching on algae biofilm systems as an alternative to suspended algal growth systems because of the ease of biomass harvesting and reduced costs in downstream processing. The goal of the project is optimizing biofilm growth and performance as a nutrient removal option in addition to characterization of the biofilm population.<\/p>\n
In 2011, Researchers at the University of South Florida<\/b> carried a preliminary analysis of algal production based on anaerobic digestion sludge centrate from the Howard F. Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (HFC AWTP) in Tampa, Florida and secondary effluent from the City of Lakeland wastewater treatment facilities in Lakeland, Florida. It was demonstrated that a mixed culture of wild algae species could successfully be grown on wastewater nutrients and potentially scaled to commercial production.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Researchers at NASA<\/b> are working on a project named OMEGA -Offshore Membrane Enclosures for Growing Algae<\/b>. NASA\u2019s OMEGA system consists of large flexible plastic tubes, called photobioreactors. Floating in seawater, the photobioreactors contain freshwater algae growing in wastewater. The project aims to investigate the technical feasibility of a unique floating algae cultivation system and prepare the way for commercial applications.<\/p>\n
In Japan<\/b>, a project has been started at a sewage treatment facility to extract a biofuel ingredient from wastewater using algae in Miyagino Ward, Sendai. This project is the first of its kind in Japan and is promoted by Tohoku University, the University of Tsukuba, and the Municipal government of Sendai. For the project, the University of Tsukuba is in charge of algae cultivation, while Tohoku University will attempt to develop the technology to extract fuel components for hydrocarbon from sewage processed with algae. The project aims to establish a practical production technology by analyzing data from the experimental research. (2013)<\/p>\n