Transforming Wastewater into Biofuel: Nutrient Removal and Biomass Generation with Chlorella vulgaris

Jose Luis Salgueiro, Leticia Perez-Rial, Rocio Maceiras (), Angel Sanchez and Angeles Cancela
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Jose Luis Salgueiro: Chemical Engineering Department, School of Industrial Engineering (EEI), University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
Leticia Perez-Rial: Defense University Center, Escuela Naval Militar, Plaza de España 2, 36920 Marín, Spain
Rocio Maceiras: Defense University Center, Escuela Naval Militar, Plaza de España 2, 36920 Marín, Spain
Angel Sanchez: Chemical Engineering Department, School of Industrial Engineering (EEI), University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
Angeles Cancela: Chemical Engineering Department, School of Industrial Engineering (EEI), University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-12

Abstract: This study investigates the potential of Chlorella vulgaris for nutrient removal and biomass production in synthetic wastewater. The experiments were conducted in 2 L photobioreactors under controlled aeration, agitation, and lighting conditions for 19 days. Despite a moderate growth rate (0.137 d −1 ), C. vulgaris achieved efficient pollutant removal, with 97% of nitrate, 90% of nitrite, and 90.6% of COD eliminated. Additionally, the biomass was processed to extract fatty acids, yielding a 20% extraction rate, indicating its potential as a biofuel feedstock. These results demonstrate C. vulgaris ’s dual function in wastewater remediation and biofuel production, presenting a sustainable and economically viable approach to addressing environmental challenges.

Keywords: Chlorella vulgaris; nutrients removal; microalgae growth; wastewater; algal biomass (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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