Development and performance evaluation of an algal biofilm reactor for treatment of multiple wastewaters and characterization of biomass for diverse applications.
A modified algal biofilm reactor (ABR) was developed and assessed for high biomass productivity and treatment potential using variable strength wastewaters with accumulation of specialized bio-products. The nonwoven spun bond fabric (70GSM) was selected as suitable biofilm support on the basis of attachment efficiency, durability and ease of harvesting. The biomass productivity achieved by ABR biofilms were 4gm-2d-1, 3.64gm-2d-1and 3.10gm-2d-1when grown in livestock wastewater (LSW), domestic grey water (DGW) and anaerobically digested slurry (ADS), respectively. Detailed characterization of wastewater grown biomass showed specific distribution of biomolecules into high lipid (38%) containing biomass (DGW grown) and high protein (44%) biomass (LSW and ADS grown). The feasibility assessment of ABR in terms of net energy return (>1) favored its application in an integrated system for treatment and recycling of rural wastewaters with simultaneous production of biomethane, livestock feed supplement and bio fertilizers.
Applied Microbiology Laboratory, Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India; Chemical Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India.
Poonam
P
Choudhary
Biochemical Engineering and Bioenergy Lab (BEBL), Division of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology Delhi, Dwarka Sector-3, New Delhi 110078, India.
Sanjeev Kumar
SK
Prajapati
Applied Microbiology Laboratory, Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India.
Pushpendar
P
Kumar
Applied Microbiology Laboratory, Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India. Electronic address: anushree_malik@yahoo.com.
Anushree
A
Malik
Chemical Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India.
Kamal K
KK
Pant
D018441:Biofilms; D018533:Biomass; D058086:Microalgae / Q000502:physiology*; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods*; D062065:Wastewater
D062065:Wastewater
Bio fertilizers; Biomethane; Livestock feed supplement; Net energy return (NER); Nonwoven spunbond fabric; Variable strength wastewater