Feasibility of Algae Production for Biofuel Using Sewage as Source of Nutrients in Tampa Bay, Florida

Howard F. Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility
Tampa Bay, Florida

Although different types of algae have been demonstrated to grow in suboptimal
substrates such as sewage, digested dairy manure and piggery waste (de Bashan et al.,
2008;Wilkie and Mulbry, 2002; Travieso et al., 2006), the potential of biofuel-producing algae to
grow from wastewater has recently gained a lot of interest since it has been highlighted as one of
the most sustainable sources of clean energy (Farm to fuel summit, 2009). Readily available
nutrients, water and carbon make a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) an ideal location for
cultivation of biofuel producing algae. However, information about the feasibility of
implementing an algal photoreactor in an advance wastewater treatment scenario is limited,
specifically in reference to nutrient recovery, savings on chemical demand and energy
consumption.
In the preliminary stage of this investigation, the green algal species Botryococcus braunii and
Chlorella sorokiniana were used in the lab as prototypes to pursue both nutrient utilization and
biofuel generation in a WWTP in Tampa Bay (Florida, US). Both species successfully
acclimated to NO3 and NH3 rich effluents from different treatment stages of the plant. Results
from microalgae theoretical nutrient and carbon utilization (removal efficiencies) were assessed
to evaluate the carbon footprint and chemical demand reduction, as well as energy savings of the
wastewater treatment process.

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Posted: May 20th, 2011 | Filed under: Waste Water Treatment | Tags: Biofuel Generation, Cost Savings, Energy Savings, Environmental Impact, Plant Sustainability, Reduced Carbon Footprint, Reduced Chemical Demand, Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions | No Comments »

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