R. Borja Padilla

Experimental study of the recovery of algae cultured in effluents from the anaerobic biological treatment of urban wastewaters

Abstract Experiments for the separation of algae grown in effluents from the anaerobic treatment of urban wastewaters have been carried out. Of all the possible methods mentioned in the literature, two have been chosen: one was classical or conventional, i.e. coagulation-flocculation with aluminium sulphate, and the other advanced i.e. electrolysis. With respect to the first method, the influence of pH on the yields obtained has been investigated, comparing the results achieved in experiments carried out with and without control of pH. In the second method, the influence of the various potential differences applied has been investigated, determining for each one of them the relationship between algal separation yield and duration of electrolysis. Comparison between the two methods indicates that electrolysis presents clear advantages over coagulation-flocculation with chemical reagents.

Algal cultures with effluents from biological treatment of urban wastewaters by anaerobiosis

Abstract Experiments have been carried out on cultures of native algae of Andalucia (Spain) with effluents from the biological treatment of urban wastewaters by anaerobiosis, using continuous and discontinuous systems. The influence of different hydraulic retention times of the wastewater on the algal cultures has been determined: on the level of algal biomass reached, and on the degree of purification achieved, measured from the evolution of various quality parameters.