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Removal of Freshwater Microalgae by Flocculation-Enhanced Electro-flotation Using Stainless Steel Mesh Electrode

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Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the possibility of increasing the efficiency of electro-flotation in two ways: (1) by using an appropriate electrode capable of generating more microbubbles and (2) by introducing flocculation. The generation of more microbubbles was achieved by using an electrode with higher surface area. To further increase the removal efficiency, two inorganic \([\hbox {Al}_{2}(\hbox {SO}_{4})_{3}\) and \(\hbox {Fe}_{2}(\hbox {SO}_{4})_{3}]\) and two polymer coagulants (PAC and polymer anion) were used as enhancements to electro-flotation. The results showed that 3 out of the 4 coagulants used have the capacity to remove 95% of microalgae in 1 L of suspension by using electro-flotation. By retrofitting flocculation into electro-flotation, the coagulant dose was significantly decreased in comparison with conventional flocculation process. Moreover, 95% removal of microalgae suspension from local eutrophic river (Nakdong river) was achieved also with PAC by enhanced electro-flotation. The results of this study also showed that the current method tremendously decreased the coagulant consumption as compared to other removal methods such as flocculation and flotation by DAF as mentioned in the later section of this study. Hence, it is an economical microalgae removal method and at the same time an efficient way to reduce water contamination due to excessive doses of coagulant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science, Catholic University of Daegu, Gyeongbuk, 712-702, South Korea

    Arpon Lucero Jr. & Dong-Seog Kim

  2. DU University College, Daegu University, Gyeongbuk, 712-830, South Korea

    Young-Seek Park

Authors
  1. Arpon Lucero Jr.
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  2. Young-Seek Park
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  3. Dong-Seog Kim
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Correspondence to Dong-Seog Kim.

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Lucero, A., Park, YS. & Kim, DS. Removal of Freshwater Microalgae by Flocculation-Enhanced Electro-flotation Using Stainless Steel Mesh Electrode. Arab J Sci Eng 43, 2339–2351 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-017-2712-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-017-2712-y

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