Effective harvesting and utilisation of microalgae with wastewater treatment for biomethane production

Vu, Phuong Hang

Effective harvesting and utilisation of microalgae with wastewater treatment for biomethane production

Vu, Phuong Hang

Permalink

Publication Type:: Thesis
Issue Date:: 2024

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download thesisAdobe PDF (3.61 MB)

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Vu, Phuong Hang
dc.date.accessioned	2024-12-02T22:55:06Z
dc.date.available	2024-12-02T22:55:06Z
dc.date.issued	2024
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/182313
dc.description	University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.	en_US.UTF-8
dc.description.abstract	Microalgae have emerged as a promising platform for producing renewable chemical feedstock and fuel, crucial for addressing climate change. To improve the economics of microalgae-derived products, reducing harvesting and utilization costs is essential. This thesis demonstrated that cationic polymer flocculation is a simple, fast method, achieving 90-99% harvesting efficiency for both freshwater and marine microalgae. It was found that microalgae at the stationary growth phase were easier to flocculate with less polymer due to increased extracellular polymeric substances. The cationic polymer’s charge neutralization and bridging mechanisms allowed for stable polymer-algal matrix formation without significant cell membrane damage, ensuring maximum concentration of intracellular matter for further processing. Additionally, this research highlighted the conversion of microalgae and biomass residues to renewable methane via anaerobic digestion. Notably, methane production from polymer-harvested microalgae was enhanced by pretreating the biomass with isopropanol, utilizing surplus COVID-19 disinfectant, resulting in up to 230 L CH4/kg VS, over 210% higher than untreated biomass. This approach underscores the potential of repurposing waste disinfectants to boost methane production, advancing energy reliability and sustainability.	en_US.UTF-8
dc.format	Thesis (PhD)
dc.language.iso	en_US	en_US.UTF-8
dc.relation	https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/bitstream/10453/182313/1/thesis.pdf
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights	The author owns the copyright in this thesis including all reproduction and reuse rights for the work. The work may not be altered without the permission of the copyright owner. Attribution is essential when quoting or paraphrasing from this thesis.
dc.rights	© 2024 Phuong Hang Vu
dc.rights	au.edu.uts.lib/cph
dc.title	Effective harvesting and utilisation of microalgae with wastewater treatment for biomethane production	en_US.UTF-8
dc.type	Thesis
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*

Abstract:

Microalgae have emerged as a promising platform for producing renewable chemical feedstock and fuel, crucial for addressing climate change. To improve the economics of microalgae-derived products, reducing harvesting and utilization costs is essential. This thesis demonstrated that cationic polymer flocculation is a simple, fast method, achieving 90-99% harvesting efficiency for both freshwater and marine microalgae. It was found that microalgae at the stationary growth phase were easier to flocculate with less polymer due to increased extracellular polymeric substances. The cationic polymer’s charge neutralization and bridging mechanisms allowed for stable polymer-algal matrix formation without significant cell membrane damage, ensuring maximum concentration of intracellular matter for further processing. Additionally, this research highlighted the conversion of microalgae and biomass residues to renewable methane via anaerobic digestion. Notably, methane production from polymer-harvested microalgae was enhanced by pretreating the biomass with isopropanol, utilizing surplus COVID-19 disinfectant, resulting in up to 230 L CH4/kg VS, over 210% higher than untreated biomass. This approach underscores the potential of repurposing waste disinfectants to boost methane production, advancing energy reliability and sustainability.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/182313