Wastewater treatment high rate algal ponds for biofuel production.
While research and development of algal biofuels are currently receiving much interest and funding, they are still not commercially viable at today's fossil fuel prices. However, a niche opportunity may exist where algae are grown as a by-product of high rate algal ponds (HRAPs) operated for wastewater treatment. In addition to significantly better economics, algal biofuel production from wastewater treatment HRAPs has a much smaller environmental footprint compared to commercial algal production HRAPs which consume freshwater and fertilisers. In this paper the critical parameters that limit algal cultivation, production and harvest are reviewed and practical options that may enhance the net harvestable algal production from wastewater treatment HRAPs including CO(2) addition, species control, control of grazers and parasites and bioflocculation are discussed.
Park
J B K
JB
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd, PO Box 11-115, Hamilton, New Zealand. j.park@niwa.co.nz
Craggs
R J
RJ
Shilton
A N
AN
D000818:Animals; D056804:Biofuels; D018533:Biomass; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D005427:Flocculation / Q000187:drug effects; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D058086:Microalgae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods; D015048:Zooplankton / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology
D056804:Biofuels; D002245:Carbon Dioxide