Microalgae cultivation in a wastewater dominated by carpet mill effluents for biofuel applications

Abstract

Industrial and municipal wastewaters are potential resources for production of microalgae biofuels. Dalton - the Carpet Capital of the World generates 100-115 million L of wastewater d(-1). A study was conducted using a wastewater containing 85-90% carpet industry effluents with 10-15% municipal sewage, to evaluate the feasibility of algal biomass and biodiesel production. Native algal strains were isolated from carpet wastewater. Preliminary growth studies indicated both fresh water and marine algae showed good growth in wastewaters. A consortium of 15 native algal isolates showed >96% nutrient removal in treated wastewater. Biomass production potential and lipid content of this consortium cultivated in treated wastewater were approximately 9.2-17.8 tons ha(-1) year(-1) and 6.82%, respectively. About 63.9% of algal oil obtained from the consortium could be converted into biodiesel. However further studies on anaerobic digestion and thermochemical liquefaction are required to make this consortium approach economically viable for producing algae biofuels.

Phycoremediation of wastewaters: a synergistic approach using microalgae for bioremediation and biomass generation

“…The consortium was able to produce 1.47 g L -1 biomass in 9 days. Biomass productivity of 0.07 g L -1 day -1 was obtained by cultivating the consortium of Chlamydomonas globosa, Chlorella minutissima and Scenedesmus bijuga in polybags with untreated carpet industry effluent (Chinnasamy et al 2010b). In another study, a consortium of microalgae isolated from a lagoon containing aerobically treated swine slurry was helpful in the efficient removal of nutrient from fish processing wastewater, recording 70 % removal of phosphate from the wastewater and biomass productivity of 0.111 g L -1 day -1 was achieved (Riano et al 2011).…”

Cultivation Strategy for Freshwater Macro- and Micro-Algae as Biomass Stock for Lipid Production

“…The ability of Chlorella vulgaris in lowering levels of nitrogen in the form of ammonia and/or ammonium ions from wastewater has been reported. Research conducted by Chinnasamy, et al [8] demonstrated the ability of 15 indigenous algae isolates in processing domestic waste with the ability to eliminate persistent organic pollutants (nutrients) by more than 96%. These micro-algae may be suitable for biomass production with domestic wastewater as growth media.…”

Physiochemicals and Heavy Metal Removal from Domestic Wastewater via Phycoremediation

“…Remediation is commonly refer to an array of regulatory requirements, and also can be based on assessments of human health and ecological risks where no legislative standards exist [8]. Phycoremediation is a process of employing microalgae or macroalgae for improving wastewater quality which able to fix carbon dioxide by using photosynthesis process and to eliminate excess nutrients effectively at minimal cost of operation [9][10][11]. This sustainable technique had been applied and studied widely using different type of wastewater such as domestic wastewater, greywater, dairywater, piggery wastewater and textile wastewater [12].…”