Paper details

Title:

Reusing Wastewater to Produce Microalgae for Nutrient Removal and Bioenergy Production

Author(s):

Batten, D., Beer, T., Freischmidt, G., Grant, T., Paterson, D., Priestley, T.

Document(s):

Abstract:

This paper projects a positive outcome for large­scale algal bioenergy production when wastewater treatment is the primary goal. Such a view arises partly from a recent change in emphasis in wastewater treatment technology from simply oxidizing the organic matter in the waste (i.e. removing the biological oxygen demand) to removing the nutrients, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus, which are the root cause of eutrophication of inland waterways and coastal zones. A growing need for nutrient removal greatly improves the prospects for using new algal ponds in wastewater treatment, since microalgae are particularly efficient in capturing and removing such nutrients. The paper summarizes and compares several scenarios for two of Australia’s largest wastewater treatment plants. Using a spreadsheet model, four scenarios that combine algae biomass production with the production of biodiesel, bioenergy and other products were assessed. Our results showed that super critical water reactors and anaerobic digesters could be attractive options, the latter providing significant savings in greenhouse gas emissions. Combining anaerobic digestion with oil extraction and the internal economies derived from cheap land, and using and recycling water and nutrients on­site, could allow algal oil to be produced for less than A$1 per litre.

Keywords:

bioenergy, microalgae, wastewater, nutrients, algal oil

Topic:

Biomass Resources

Subtopic:

Algae assessment and conversion

Event:

19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

OB10.1

Pages:

111 - 123

ISBN-13:

978-88-89407-55-4

ISBN-10:

88-89407-55-7

Paper DOI:

10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-OB10.1

Price:

FREE