Harvesting of Chlorella sp. KR-1 using a cross-flow membrane filtration system equipped with an anti-fouling membrane

Application of membrane dewatering for algal biofuel

“…Previously reported concentration factors vary from 5 times to 150 times [14,20,37,44,58]. The highest concentration factor demonstrated is exhibited by Zhang et al…”

“…The film theory model postulates that due to concentration polarization, flux will decrease exponentially as feed concentration increases [8]. Algae dewatering studies using cross-flow filtration have found similar trends: higher initial cell concentrations are associated with faster fouling formation and lower stabilized flux [14,37,43]. Particularly, Rossignol et al (1999) reported that when cell concentrations of Haslea ostrearia are under 100 million cells per liter, stabilized flux increases exponentially with further reduction of cell concentration [43].…”

“…It is usually quantified by measuring algal cells concentration in the permeate using laser granulometric measurements or microscopic observations [44]. Many studies have reported complete cell retention during the membrane dewatering (Table 3), especially when membrane pores are small compared with the algal cells [11,37,38,40]. While whole cells may not be present in the permeate, one study observed debris and macromolecular material in the permeate [43].…”

“…Some studies reported stabilized flux [37,40,44,48,56], which refers to the permeate flux when the system reaches steady state. At this stage, however, irreversible fouling has already taken place, and hence permeate flux will not fully recover by cleaning.…”

Photobioreactors in Life Support Systems

“…Fouling of membranes in microalgae reactors is reported to be mainly due to cake formation and to a minor degree by blockage or hydrophobic adhesion of cells [83]. Higher fluid velocity and coating with functional materials such as polyvinyl alcohol PVA can reduce membrane fouling potential during long-term cultivations [83,92].…”