Membrane filtration of microalgae

• Main Author: We, Sok Ling.
• Other Authors: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Environmental engineering::Water treatment
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/39502
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Membrane filtration is a separation technique commonly applied for the removal of contaminants from liquid. It can also be used for concentrating and harvesting microalgae. When a suitable membrane is used for filtering microalgae, the filtration rate can be adjusted and the debris and algae cells completely retained. The objective of this study is to have a better comprehension about the fouling potential of microalgae on microfiltration membranes under various filtration conditions. The study focuses on the filterability of Chlorella sorokiniana, the selected microalgae. The experiments showed how the transmembrane pressure (TMP), permeability, and total membrane resistance varied with time during the fouling process. The results indicated that fouling led to an increase in TMP with time when the permeate flux was held constant. Simultaneously, permeability decreased, and the total membrane resistance increased. Quantitative data were supplemented with scanning electron microscope visualizations of the algae feed and fouled membranes. The micrographs revealed the characteristics of algal cells before and after filtration, and the surface architecture of deposits on the fouled membrane. It was further observed that filtration caused disruptions and rupturing of some algal cells. Finally, recommendations on the improvement of this study and areas for future investigations are provided.