The effects of solids residence time and diurnal cycles on nutrient recovery and biochemical composition in microalgae

D. A. Gardner-Dale, I. M. Bradley, J. S. Guest

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Microalgal treatment systems could dramatically improve nutrient recovery in water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) by achieving effluent nitrogen and phosphorus levels below the current limit of technology (LOT), while simultaneously producing a valuable biomass feedstock. This research isolates the effect of solids residence time (SRT) and diurnal light variation on nutrient uptake and carbon storage in two species of microalgae, Scenedesmus obliquus and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. SRT dictated intracellular N:P ratio, 24-hour (i.e., continuous) removal of N and P was achieved, and levels of stored carbohydrates increased and decreased in phase with light intensity. The relationship between SRT and N:P ratio was validated using established models, but a simplified model is also proposed for use in phototrophic wastewater process modeling, informing the design of pilot- and full-scale treatment facilities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationWEFTEC 2016 - 89th Water Environment Federation Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Pages1794-1797
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781510870475
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
Event89th Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference, WEFTEC 2016 - New Orleans, United States
Duration: Sep 24 2016Sep 28 2016

Publication series

NameWEFTEC 2016 - 89th Water Environment Federation Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference
Volume5

Conference

Conference89th Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference, WEFTEC 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNew Orleans
Period9/24/169/28/16

Keywords

  • Diurnal dynamics
  • Limit of technology
  • Microalgae
  • N:P ratio
  • Nitrogen
  • Nutrient recovery
  • Phosphorus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecological Modeling
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Pollution
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Water Science and Technology

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