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Author Spotlight: Scaling Microalgal Biotechnology for Enhanced Biomethane Production
Published on: March 22, 2024
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Shining a Light on Wastewater Treatment with Microalgae.
1Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL USA.
Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering
|January 17, 2022
Summary
Growing microalgae in wastewater using biofilms and internal illumination can reduce costs and improve nutrient removal. This approach could transform wastewater treatment into resource recovery facilities for valuable products.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Microalgae cultivation for biofuels and other products is hindered by high costs.
- Municipal wastewater contains abundant nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) that are costly to remove.
- Current microalgae use in wastewater treatment is limited by cost and lack of demonstrated value-added product commercialization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To suggest novel, cost-effective methods for microalgae cultivation in wastewater.
- To explore the potential of microalgae biofilms and internal illumination for enhanced wastewater treatment.
- To identify pathways for commercializing microalgae biomass from wastewater for value-added products.
Main Methods:
- Investigating microalgae cultivation as biofilms instead of planktonic cells.
- Exploring the use of internal illumination instead of external illumination for microalgae growth.
- Fact-based suggestions for scientific and engineering investigation.
Main Results:
- Microalgae biofilms with internal illumination show potential for improved wastewater treatment.
- Nutrient removal from municipal wastewater using microalgae is feasible.
- Wastewater-derived microalgae biomass can be a source for value-added products.
Conclusions:
- Shifting to microalgae biofilms and internal illumination may significantly improve wastewater treatment efficiency and economics.
- Wastewater treatment facilities can be reimagined as Municipal Resource Recovery Facilities.
- Advances in photonics and biotechnology will accelerate the transition to resource recovery from wastewater.
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