Environmental health experts at Flinders University are advancing research into a highly sustainable wastewater recycling program by developing a cost-effective way to harvest microalgal biomass for use in biofuels and other applications.
The high-rate algal pond (HRAP) model, recycling wastewater at two regional South Australian locations at Kingston-on-Murray and Peterborough with support from the Flinders University research team, uses algae and bacteria to treat the wastewater.
Research led by Flinders University Professor Howard Fallowfield and Dr Paul Young has presented details of a new system using slaked lime and magnesium concentration to concentrate the microalgae-rich biosolids produced in the HRAP at Kingston-on-Murray in SA’s Riverland.
Chemical reaction modelling was used to optimise the processing and the cost of chemicals was evaluated.
Read more at Flinders University
Image: Flinders Professor Howard Fallowfield conducting research at the HRAP at Kingston-on-Murray in South Australia. (Credit: Flinders University)