Research on new sources of bioenergy is nowadays driving attention to microalgae. Cost-effective biomass harvesting
and thickening pose a challenge for massive microalgae production for biofuels. In this study, coagulation–
flocculation and sedimentation with natural flocculants (Ecotan and Tanfloc) was evaluated on microalgae
grown in an experimental high rate algal pond treating urban wastewater. Jar tests showed how flocculant
doses of 10 and 50 mg/L of Ecotan and Tanfloc enabled over 90% biomass recovery. Furthermore, settling column
tests showed that both flocculants increased microalgae settling velocity, performing fast and efficient biomass
recovery (N90% recovery in 10–20 min). Thus, the use of either flocculant would enhance microalgal biomass reducing
the HRT and settler volume. Finally, the potential toxicity of flocculants upon biomass production was
assessed in biochemicalmethane potential tests. Results indicated that doses of 10–50 mg/L of Ecotan and Tanfloc
did not affect anaerobic digestion, leading to the same methane yield (162–166 mL CH4/g VS) with the same
methane content (70%) as the control without flocculants. This study demonstrates that Ecotan and Tanfloc flocculants
would be appropriate for microalgae biomass harvesting and subsequent biogas generation.
Research on new sources of bioenergy is nowadays driving attention to microalgae. Cost-effective biomass harvestingand thickening pose a challenge for massive microalgae production for biofuels. In this study, coagulation–flocculation and sedimentation with natural flocculants (Ecotan and Tanfloc) was evaluated on microalgaegrown in an experimental high rate algal pond treating urban wastewater. Jar tests showed how flocculantdoses of 10 and 50 mg/L of Ecotan and Tanfloc enabled over 90% biomass recovery. Furthermore, settling columntests showed that both flocculants increased microalgae settling velocity, performing fast and efficient biomassrecovery (N90% recovery in 10–20 min). Thus, the use of either flocculant would enhance microalgal biomass reducingthe HRT and settler volume. Finally, the potential toxicity of flocculants upon biomass production wasassessed in biochemicalmethane potential tests. Results indicated that doses of 10–50 mg/L of Ecotan and Tanflocdid not affect anaerobic digestion, leading to the same methane yield (162–166 mL CH4/g VS) with the samemethane content (70%) as the control without flocculants. This study demonstrates that Ecotan and Tanfloc flocculantswould be appropriate for microalgae biomass harvesting and subsequent biogas generation.
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