Name:
Wastewater Treatment using algae

Developed by:
AlgEn (SLOVENIA)
Private company

Country(ies) involved:
Slovenia

Funding sources:
Private and EU

General idea:
Contribution to development of blue economy: Sustainable bioremediation solutions for industrial, agricultural and municipal wastewater treatment

Description:
Combined algal and bacterial treatment solutions provide many advantages, such as: in-situ use of solar energy, substantially lower operational cost (aeration), substantially better heavy metal removal with possible recuperation, better energy and mass efficiency, lower GHG emissions (negative CO2 balance), no need for tertiary polishing, useful and valuable biomass and innovative technology.
Construction of hybrid microalgal-bacterial wastewater treatment facilities is a unique approach used by AlgEn, which allows traditional energy hungry aerobic treatment to be used in poor weather conditions and on rare occasions when the algae-bacterial process runs in trouble. Hybrid treatment eliminates all risks associated with weather and innovative technology.
Indirectly microalgae can be used in combination with bacteria. They provide oxygen to aerobic bacteria to mineralize organic pollutants and use the CO2 released by bacteria. Mechanical aeration accounts for more than 50% of the total energy consumption of typical (bacterial) aerobic wastewater treatment. The mixing is especially not wanted when handling hazardous materials. The aerosols or hazardous materials are by mixing released in the air.
Aim: to improve process of turning waste streams into the value.
Challenges/needs addressed: excessive energy consumption, high wastewater operating costs, and harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
Impact and usefulness: efficient waste water treatment.
Contribution to innovations: new way of waste water treatment allows to turn sub-product (wastewater) to the product (energy).
Stakeholders: companies, which are using water in the process of manufacturing.
More information – https://algen.eu/node/101

TRL:
6. Technology demonstrated in relevant environment

Sources:
Document/literature review