This study evaluated the ability of Tanfloc SG flocculation to recover microalgae biomass cultivated in a tubular photobioreactor using swine wastewater effluent as the culture media in a pilot‐scale microalgae production plant. The objective function was the flocculation efficiency (ηf), which was evaluated by central composite design (CCD) experiments which varied the Tanfloc concentration (TC) and pH. Subsequently, the biomass recoveries of highly efficient flocculants recommended by the literature and the CCD conditions of Tanfloc were compared. The maximum flocculation efficiency (96.7 ± 1.0 %) was obtained for the following optimal conditions: 210 mg/L Tanfloc concentration, pH 7.8. After jar test experiments, the scale‐up of the process was performed by using the best obtained results and applying Tanfloc in a 1 m3 flocculator where the complementary analyses demonstrated efficient nitrogen, carbon, and biomass removal. The flocculation efficiency obtained with Tanfloc was equivalent to that of most conventional flocculants currently used. However, Tanfloc presented the following economic advantages with respect to other flocculants: i) its nontoxic nature allows for low‐cost disposal; and ii) its low market price makes it a promising alternative for harvesting microalgae biomass.
This research appraised the simultaneous biofixation of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and nitric oxides (NO x ) by microalgae species Chlorella vulgaris , Haematococcus pluvialis , and Scenedesmus subspicatus . The experimental design was established by five treatments with gas concentrations between control – 0.04% of CO 2 , 5 to 15% of CO 2 , and 30 to 100 ppm of NOx. Parameters such as pH, growth, productivity, lipids, protein, carbon/ nitrogen ratio, and astaxanthin were evaluated. For all species, the maximal growth was achieved with 5% of CO 2 and 30 ppm of NO x . Regarding protein content, for all the three species, better results were obtained at higher concentrations of CO 2 and NOx. These results prove the microalgae capacity for CO 2 and NO x biofixation and reuse of biomass as a source of high value-added products, such as lipids, proteins, and astaxanthin. These findings support the indication of these species for flue gas treatment process and use in biorefineries systems.
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