The Potential of Nutrient Recovery from Wastewater Using a Revolving Algae Biofilm System and Beneficial Utilization of Algae Biomass

摘要

An innovative revolving algal biofilm (RAB) technology is being pilot tested with a goal to to sustainably reduce phosphorus (P) in effluent below 1.0 mg/L, using algae as the recovery method, and create a marketable product from algae. The phase-I studies involved testing two RAB heights, 0.9 m and 1.8 m with a raceway pond as control. The taller RAB reactor showed higher nutrient removal efficiencies and biomass productivity based on footprint. Based on the success of phase-I studies, a new 3.05 m tall reactor was installed in 2017 for ongoing phase-Ⅱ studies. Significant progress has been made to demonstrate the viability of RAB technology to remove and recover P from wastewater. Benefits go beyond nutrients removal, as algae also effectively removes heavy metals, trace organics, and total dissolved solids, while increasing dissolved oxygen of effluent. Algae biomass produced from treatment is suitable for making bioplastics and high-value fertilizer products.