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Published on: June 11, 2018
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Direct current (DC) initiated flocculation of Scenedesmus dimorphus
Noor Haleem1,2, Jiahui Yuan1, Seyit Uguz1,3
1Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA.
Summary
Direct current (DC) flocculation offers an efficient method for harvesting microalgae without chemical contaminants. This technique achieved up to 94% efficiency, paving the way for cleaner algae processing.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Engineering
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Chemical flocculants introduce contaminants like metals into microalgae, hindering downstream applications.
- Developing eco-friendly and efficient microalgal harvesting methods is crucial for sustainable biotechnology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate a direct current (DC) initiated flocculation technology for microalgal harvesting.
- To assess the efficiency of DC flocculation under varying voltage gradients and durations.
Main Methods:
- Applied a direct current (DC) electric field across titanium plate electrodes to induce microalgal cell aggregation.
- Tested the method on Scenedesmus dimorphus using voltage gradients from 58 to 233 V/m and energizing times of 20, 40, and 60 minutes.
Main Results:
- Achieved up to 94% flocculation efficiency based on dry algal biomass.
- Demonstrated that microbubble formation from electrolysis had minimal impact on cell separation.
- Showcased that inert electrodes minimize the introduction of metal ions like Fe or Al compared to electrocoagulation.
Conclusions:
- DC-initiated flocculation is a promising, contaminant-free alternative for microalgal harvesting.
- This electrochemical approach facilitates cleaner algae processing and downstream applications.
- The study supports further research into electrochemically assisted algae harvesting technologies.
