Separation of algae from growth media by CGA flotation

Abstract

The efficiency of colloidal gas aphron (CGA) flotation for separation of algae from growth media was investigated. Anionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants were used to generate CGAs. Preliminary batch studies showed that two CGA flotation procedures could be successfully used for algae flotation. CGA flotation without pretreatment of algae was only successful using cationic surfactants. All three types of surfactants yielded promising results while combining CGA flotation with alum flocculation as a pretreatment step. Observed removal efficiencies were above ninety percent for batch applications.

“Pure CGA flotation” was studied in countercurrent continuous flow operations. Satisfactory removal of algae could be achieved even at substantially reduced volume ratios of CGAs to algae solution. However, TOC concentrations increased with higher volume ratios and higher flowrates due to carryover of CGA bubbles and diffusion of surfactant molecules into the bulk solution. The cationic surfactant Cetyl Pyrimidinium Chloride, present at very low concentrations in the raffinate and the froth algae mixture, exhibited biostatic and biocidal properties in the microbial activity test.