title: Harvesting microalgal biomass using submerged microfiltration membranes.
abstract: This study was performed to investigate the applicability of submerged microfiltration as a first step of up-concentration for harvesting both a freshwater green algae species Chlorella vulgaris and a marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum using three lab-made membranes with different porosity. The filtration performance was assessed by conducting the improved flux step method (IFM) and batch up-concentration filtrations. The fouling autopsy of the membranes was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The cost analysis was estimated based on the data of a related full-scale submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR). Overall results suggest that submerged microfiltration for algal harvesting is economically feasible. The IFM results indicate a low degree of fouling, comparable to the one obtained for a submerged MBR. By combining the submerged microfiltration with centrifugation to reach a final concentration of 22% w/v, the energy consumption to dewater C. vulgaris and P. tricornutum is 0.84 kW h/m(3) and 0.91 kW h/m(3), respectively.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 23, Box 2461, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Bilad
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vandamme
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Foubert
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muylaert
authors.forename: Ivo F J
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Vankelecom
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D058086:Microalgae / Q000378:metabolism*; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial