Harvesting microalgal biomass using submerged microfiltration membranes
In: Bioresource Technology. Elsevier: Barking. ISSN 0960-8524; e-ISSN 1873-2976, more |  |
| Keywords | Chlorella vulgaris Beijerinck, 1890 [WoRMS]; Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin, 1897 [WoRMS]
| | Author keywords | Microalgae harvesting; Membrane fouling; Chlorella vulgaris; Phaeodactylum tricornutum |
| Abstract | This study was performed to investigate the applicability of submerged microfiltration as a first step of up-concentration for harvesting both a freshwater green algae species Chlorella vulgaris and a marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum using three lab-made membranes with different porosity. The filtration performance was assessed by conducting the improved flux step method (IFM) and batch up-concentration filtrations. The fouling autopsy of the membranes was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The cost analysis was estimated based on the data of a related full-scale submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR). Overall results suggest that submerged microfiltration for algal harvesting is economically feasible. The IFM results indicate a low degree of fouling, comparable to the one obtained for a submerged MBR. By combining the submerged microfiltration with centrifugation to reach a final concentration of 22% w/v, the energy consumption to dewater C. vulgaris and P. tricornutum is 0.84 kW h/m3 and 0.91 kW h/m3, respectively. |
|
