The present research was conducted in order to simultaneously optimize biogas upgrading and carbon and nutrient removal from centrates in a 180 L high rate algal pond interconnected to an external CO 2 absorption unit. Different biogas and centrate supply strategies were assessed in order to increase biomass lipid content. Results showed 99% CO 2 removal efficiencies from simulated biogas at liquid recirculation rates in the absorption column of 9.9 m 3 m -2 h -1 , concomitant with nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiencies of 100% and 82%, respectively, using a 1:70 diluted centrate at a hydraulic retention time of 7 days. The lipid content of the harvested algal-bacterial biomass remained low (2.9-11.2%) regardless of the operational conditions, with no particular trend over the time. The good settling characteristics of the algal-bacterial flocs resulted in harvesting efficiencies over 95%, which represented a cost-effective alternative for algal biomass reutilization compared to conventional physical-chemical techniques.Finally, high microalgae biodiversity was found regardless of the operational conditions. 2
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.