title: Influence of starch on microalgal biomass recovery, settleability and biogas production.
abstract: In the context of wastewater treatment with microalgae cultures, coagulation-flocculation followed by sedimentation is one of the suitable options for microalgae harvesting. This process is enabled by the addition of chemicals (e.g. iron). However, in a biorefinery perspective, it is important to avoid possible contamination of downstream products caused by chemicals addition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of potato starch as flocculant for microalgal biomass coagulation-flocculation and sedimentation. The optimal flocculant dose (25mg/L) was determined with jar tests. Such a concentration led to more than 95% biomass recovery (turbidity<9NTU). The settleability of flocs was studied using an elutriation apparatus measuring the settling velocities distribution. This test underlined the positive effect of starch on the biomass settling velocity, increasing to >70% the percentage of particles with settling velocities >6.5m/h. Finally, biochemical methane potential tests showed that starch biodegradation increased the biogas production from harvested biomass.
authors: GEMMA - Engineering and Microbiology Research Group, Department of Hydraulic, Maritime and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·Barcelona Tech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Raquel
authors: R
authors: Gutiérrez
authors: GEMMA - Engineering and Microbiology Research Group, Department of Hydraulic, Maritime and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·Barcelona Tech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Ivet
authors: I
authors: Ferrer
authors: GEMMA - Engineering and Microbiology Research Group, Department of Hydraulic, Maritime and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·Barcelona Tech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Joan
authors: J
authors: García
authors: GEMMA - Engineering and Microbiology Research Group, Department of Hydraulic, Maritime and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·Barcelona Tech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: enrica.uggetti@upc.edu.
authors: Enrica
authors: E
authors: Uggetti
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D056804:Biofuels; D018533:Biomass; D001709:Biotechnology; D005427:Flocculation; D008697:Methane / Q000737:chemistry*; D058086:Microalgae / Q000378:metabolism*; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D013213:Starch / Q000737:chemistry*; D062065:Wastewater; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D008697:Methane; D013213:Starch; D062065:Wastewater
keywords: Coagulant; Flocculant; Harvesting; High rate algal pond; Microalgae