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Microalgae Production Integrated with the Wastewater Treatment: A Management Approach

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Cost-efficient Wastewater Treatment Technologies

Part of the book series: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry ((HEC,volume 117))

Abstract

Microalgae are a sustainable source of high value-added bioproducts that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as energy, food, and raw materials. However, the costs incurred to microalgae production are still very high, which prevents its large-scale application from being economically viable. One widely discussed solution in recent years is the association of microalgae cultivation with wastewater treatment, in order to reduce costs related to its cultivation. In this process, the microalgae uptake nutrients (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) and other substances from the wastewater, generating a treated wastewater effluent and a microalgal biomass with high economic value. After the cultivation process, the generated biomass has to be recovered from the wastewater. Harvesting is also a bottleneck process because it represents about 20–60% of the total production costs. Since there is no universal method applied to microalgae recovery, different harvesting methods have been investigated, mainly including centrifugation, filtration, flotation, and sedimentation. Thus, choosing the appropriated harvesting method is crucial for a cost-effective microalgae production. In this context, this chapter presents an overview of the microalgae production, integrated with the wastewater treatment, and the potential harvesting methods. In addition, the challenges to apply the system in Brazil are also discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Luan de Souza Leite & Luiz Antonio Daniel

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  1. Luan de Souza Leite
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  1. Environmental Engineering Department, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), Alexandria, Egypt

    Mahmoud Nasr

  2. Water and Water Structures Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Abdelazim M. Negm

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Leite, L.d.S., Daniel, L.A. (2022). Microalgae Production Integrated with the Wastewater Treatment: A Management Approach. In: Nasr, M., Negm, A.M. (eds) Cost-efficient Wastewater Treatment Technologies. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 117. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2022_862

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