A hybrid anaerobic and microalgal membrane reactor for energy and microalgal biomass production from wastewater

Minh T. Vu, Hang P. Vu, Luong N. Nguyen, Galilee U. Semblante, Md Abu Hasan Johir, Long D. Nghiem

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In the concept of a circular economy, wastewater is no longer waste but a resource for water, energy and nutrients. In this study, a hybrid system containing an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) and a microalgal membrane reactor (MMR) was developed to harvest energy, nutrients, and microalgal biomass from food and agribusiness industrial wastewater. The AnMBR removed over 97% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and generated 4.7 ± 0.15 L (n=80) of biogas equivalent to 2.4 kWh kg−1 COD (feed) d −1 . Through anaerobic metabolism, the microorganism in AnMBR generated NH+ 4 and PO3− 4 -rich effluent. Their effluent concentrations were 1.9 and 1.4 times of that in the influent, respectively. NH+ 4 and PO3− 4 -rich effluent was directly used (i.e. without filtration or sterilization) to culture microalgae Chlorella vulgaris in the MMR. . Microalgal biomass production reached up to 700 mg/L after 6 days of operation and nutrient removal rates of above 75% were achieved. However, biomass production and nutrient removal declined towards the end of experiment. The generated biomass was completely harvested using cationic polyacrylamide at the dose of 36 mg g−1 dry weight. Overall, the AnMBR has great potential to produce energy. Future research is needed to intensify the microalgal growth (e.g. genetic modification of strains, addition of plant hormones) in the MMR for continuous operation of the hybrid system.
Original languageEnglish
Article number100834
Number of pages9
JournalEnvironmental Technology and Innovation
Volume19
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Keywords

  • biogas
  • membrane bioreactor
  • membrane reactors
  • polyacrylamide
  • wastewater treatment and reuse

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