Factorial experiment to identify two-way interactions between temperature, harvesting period, hydraulic retention time, and light intensity that influence the biomass productivity and phosphorus removal efficiency of a microalgae–bacteria biofilm

Watkins, Jacob Dean; Lords, Clayton Jack; Bradley, Abiela Meek; Cutler, David Richard; Sims, Ronald Charles

doi:10.2166/wst.2024.367

Title: Factorial experiment to identify two-way interactions between temperature, harvesting period, hydraulic retention time, and light intensity that influence the biomass productivity and phosphorus removal efficiency of a microalgae–bacteria biofilm

Journal Article · 09 November 2024 · Water Science and Technology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2024.367 · OSTI ID:2476739

^[1]; Lords, Clayton Jack ^[1];

^[1];

^[1]

Utah State University, Logan, UT (United States)

Rotating algae biofilm reactors (RABRs) can reduce energy requirements for wastewater reclamation but require further optimization for implementation at water resource recovery facilities (WRRF). Optimizing RABR operation is challenging because conditions at WRRF change frequently, and disregarding interaction terms related to these changes can produce incorrect conclusions about RABR behavior. This study evaluated the two-way interaction and main effects of four factors on the biomass productivity and phosphorus removal efficiency of a microalgae-bacteria biofilm grown in municipal anaerobic digester centrate, with factor levels and operating conditions selected to mimic a pilot RABR at a WRRF in Utah. Two-way interactions harvesting period*light intensity (LI), harvesting period*temperature, and LI*hydraulic retention time (HRT) had significant effects on biomass productivity: at high temperature and low LI, highest biomass productivity was achieved with a 14-day harvesting period, but at medium temperature and high LI, highest biomass productivity was achieved with a 7-day harvesting period. At high HRT, highest biomass productivity occurred at low LI, but at low HRT, highest biomass productivity occurred at high LI. Phosphorus removal was strongly influenced by LI and occurred most rapidly during the first 2 days HRT, which suggests precipitation contributed significantly to phosphorus removal. These observations provide insight for further RABR optimization.

View Journal Article

Cite

Export

Save

Research Organization:: Utah State University, Logan, UT (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0009271

OSTI ID:: 2476739

Journal Information:: Water Science and Technology, Journal Name: Water Science and Technology Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 90; ISSN 1996-9732; ISSN 0273-1223

Publisher:: IWA PublishingCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

References (50)

Experimental and theoretical investigations of rotating algae biofilm reactors (RABRs): Areal productivity, nutrient recovery, and energy efficiency Jones, Gerald Benjamin; Sims, Ronald C.; Zhao, Jia Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Vol. 120, Issue 10 https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.28451	journal	June 2023
Removal of total dissolved solids from wastewater using a revolving algal biofilm reactor Peng, Juan; Kumar, Kuldip; Gross, Martin Water Environment Research, Vol. 92, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1002/wer.1273	journal	December 2019
Advances in the use of microalgal–bacterial consortia for wastewater treatment: Community structures, interactions, economic resource reclamation, and study techniques Mu, Ruimin; Jia, Yantian; Ma, Guixia Water Environment Research, Vol. 93, Issue 8 https://doi.org/10.1002/wer.1496	journal	March 2021
ggplot2 Wickham, Hadley Use R! https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24277-4	book	January 2016
The effect of harvesting on biomass production and nutrient removal in phototrophic biofilm reactors for effluent polishing Boelee, N. C.; Janssen, M.; Temmink, H. Journal of Applied Phycology, Vol. 26, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-0178-1	journal	November 2013
Modelling of growth of Porphyridium cruentum in connection with two interdependent factors: Light and temperature Dermoun, Djamila; Chaumont, Daniel; Thebault, Jean-Marc Bioresource Technology, Vol. 42, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/0960-8524(92)90069-A	journal	January 1992
Characterisation of microalgae-based monocultures and mixed cultures for biomass production and wastewater treatment Luo, Yunlong; Le-Clech, Pierre; Henderson, Rita K. Algal Research, Vol. 49 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2020.101963	journal	August 2020
Interactive effect of light quality and temperature on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii growth kinetics and lipid synthesis Li, Xiangpeng; Slavens, Shelyn; Crunkleton, Daniel W. Algal Research, Vol. 53 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2020.102127	journal	March 2021
The self-adaption capability of microalgal biofilm under different light intensities: Photosynthetic parameters and biofilm microstructures Wang, Yi; Jiang, Zeyi; Lai, Zhijian Algal Research, Vol. 58 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2021.102383	journal	October 2021
Growth and nutrients removal characteristics of attached Chlorella sp. using synthetic municipal secondary effluent with varied hydraulic retention times and biomass harvest intervals Wang, Ya-Nan; Pang, Hao; Yu, Chong Algal Research, Vol. 61 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2021.102600	journal	January 2022
DISCOVR strain pipeline screening – Part I: Maximum specific growth rate as a function of temperature and salinity for 38 candidate microalgae for biofuels production Huesemann, Michael; Edmundson, Scott; Gao, Song Algal Research, Vol. 71 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2023.102996	journal	April 2023
Microalgal culture preservation: Progress, trends and future developments Foo, Su Chern; Mok, Chui Yang; Ho, Shu Yang Algal Research, Vol. 71 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2023.103007	journal	April 2023
Microalgal biofilms: Towards a sustainable biomass production Ennaceri, Houda; Ishika, Tasneema; Mkpuma, Victor Okorie Algal Research, Vol. 72 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2023.103124	journal	May 2023
A pilot-scale study of struvite precipitation in a stirred tank reactor: Conditions influencing the process Pastor, L.; Mangin, D.; Barat, R. Bioresource Technology, Vol. 99, Issue 14 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2007.12.003	journal	September 2008
Development of a rotating algal biofilm growth system for attached microalgae growth with in situ biomass harvest Gross, Martin; Henry, Wesley; Michael, Clayton Bioresource Technology, Vol. 150 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2013.10.016	journal	December 2013
Yearlong evaluation of performance and durability of a pilot-scale Revolving Algal Biofilm (RAB) cultivation system Gross, Martin; Wen, Zhiyou Bioresource Technology, Vol. 171 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.08.052	journal	November 2014
Hydraulic retention time effects on wastewater nutrient removal and bioproduct production via rotating algal biofilm reactor Iman Shayan, Sahand; Agblevor, Foster A.; Bertin, Lorenzo Bioresource Technology, Vol. 211 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2016.03.104	journal	July 2016
Life cycle assessment and nutrient analysis of various processing pathways in algal biofuel production Mu, Dongyan; Ruan, Roger; Addy, Min Bioresource Technology, Vol. 230 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2016.12.108	journal	April 2017
Effects of light intensity on oxygen distribution, lipid production and biological community of algal-bacterial granules in photo-sequencing batch reactors Meng, Fansheng; Xi, Limeng; Liu, Dongfang Bioresource Technology, Vol. 272 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2018.10.059	journal	January 2019
Optimization of algal turf scrubber (ATS) technology through targeted harvest rate Siville, Bert; Boeing, Wiebke J. Bioresource Technology Reports, Vol. 9 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2019.100360	journal	February 2020
Combined effects of temperature, light intensity, and nitrogen concentration on the growth and polysaccharide content of Microcystis aeruginosa in batch culture Yang, Zhou; Geng, Linlin; Wang, Wei Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, Vol. 41 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bse.2011.12.015	journal	April 2012
The potential of mixed-species biofilms to address remaining challenges for economically-feasible microalgal biorefineries: A review Wicker, Rebecca J.; Kwon, Eilhann; Khan, Eakalak Chemical Engineering Journal, Vol. 451 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.138481	journal	January 2023
Nutrient and suspended solids removal from petrochemical wastewater via microalgal biofilm cultivation Hodges, Alan; Fica, Zachary; Wanlass, Jordan Chemosphere, Vol. 174 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.01.107	journal	May 2017
The biological performance of a novel microalgal-bacterial membrane photobioreactor: Effects of HRT and N/P ratio Zhang, Meijia; Leung, Kam-Tin; Lin, Hongjun Chemosphere, Vol. 261 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128199	journal	December 2020
Key sustainability challenges for the global phosphorus resource, their implications for global food security, and options for mitigation Chowdhury, Rubel Biswas; Moore, Graham A.; Weatherley, Anthony J. Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 140 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.07.012	journal	January 2017
Coupling effects of pH and Mg/P ratio on P recovery from anaerobic digester supernatant by struvite formation Liu, Xiaoning; Wen, Guoqi; Hu, Zhengyi Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 198 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.07.073	journal	October 2018
Rotating algal biofilm versus planktonic cultivation: LCA perspective Morales, Marjorie; Bonnefond, Hubert; Bernard, Olivier Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 257 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120547	journal	June 2020
Enhancing microalgae biomass production: Exploring improved scraping frequency in a hybrid cultivation system Abrantes Silva, Thiago; Pereira, Alexia Saleme Aona de Paula; Ferreira, Jéssica Journal of Environmental Management, Vol. 355 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120505	journal	March 2024
Modeling the oxygen inhibition in microalgae: An experimental approach based on photorespirometry Sforza, Eleonora; Pastore, Martina; Franke, Sabine M. New Biotechnology, Vol. 59 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbt.2020.06.003	journal	November 2020
Microalgal attachment and attached systems for biomass production and wastewater treatment Wang, Jing-Han; Zhuang, Lin-Lan; Xu, Xue-Qiao Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 92 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.04.081	journal	September 2018
Microbial community structures in high rate algae ponds for bioconversion of agricultural wastes from livestock industry for feed production Mark Ibekwe, A.; Murinda, Shelton E.; Murry, Marcia A. Science of The Total Environment, Vol. 580 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.12.076	journal	February 2017
Lighting the way to sustainable development: Physiological response and light control strategy in microalgae-based wastewater treatment under illumination Chen, Shangxian; Li, Xin; Ma, Xinlei Science of The Total Environment, Vol. 903 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166298	journal	December 2023
Phosphorus removal using a microalgal biofilm in a new biofilm photobioreactor for tertiary wastewater treatment Sukačová, Kateřina; Trtílek, Martin; Rataj, Tomáš Water Research, Vol. 71 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2014.12.049	journal	March 2015
Evaluation of revolving algae biofilm reactors for nutrients and metals removal from sludge thickening supernatant in a municipal wastewater treatment facility Zhao, Xuefei; Kumar, Kuldip; Gross, Martin A. Water Research, Vol. 143 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2018.07.001	journal	October 2018
Early stages of biofilm succession in a lentic freshwater environment Sekar, R.; Venugopalan, V. P.; Nandakumar, K. Hydrobiologia, Vol. 512, Issue 1-3 https://doi.org/10.1023/B:HYDR.0000020314.69538.2c	journal	January 2004
Photosynthesis-Irradiance Patterns in Benthic Microalgae: Variations as a Function of Assemblage Thickness and Community Structure Dodds, Walter K.; Biggs, Barry J. F.; Lowe, Rex L. Journal of Phycology, Vol. 35, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1529-8817.1999.3510042.x	journal	February 1999
Mathematical Modeling of Heavy Metal Biosorption in Multispecies Biofilms D’Acunto, B.; Esposito, G.; Frunzo, L. Journal of Environmental Engineering, Vol. 142, Issue 9 https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0001052	journal	September 2016
Microbial consortia: a critical look at microalgae co-cultures for enhanced biomanufacturing Padmaperuma, Gloria; Kapoore, Rahul Vijay; Gilmour, Daniel James Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, Vol. 38, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1080/07388551.2017.1390728	journal	October 2017
Physiology of microalgal biofilm: a review on prediction of adhesion on substrates Cheah, Yi Tong; Chan, Derek Juinn Chieh Bioengineered, Vol. 12, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1080/21655979.2021.1980671	journal	January 2021
Light stress and photoprotection in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Erickson, Erika; Wakao, Setsuko; Niyogi, Krishna K. The Plant Journal, Vol. 82, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.12825	journal	March 2015
Algae-based biofilm productivity utilizing dairy wastewater: effects of temperature and organic carbon concentration Fica, Zachary T.; Sims, Ronald C. Journal of Biological Engineering, Vol. 10, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13036-016-0039-y	journal	December 2016
Techno-economic assessment for the production of algal fuels and value-added products: opportunities for high-protein microalgae conversion Wiatrowski, Matthew; Klein, Bruno C.; Davis, Ryan W. Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts, Vol. 15, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-021-02098-3	journal	January 2022
Understanding photosynthetic biofilm productivity and structure through 2D simulation Polizzi, Bastien; Fanesi, Andrea; Lopes, Filipa PLOS Computational Biology, Vol. 18, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009904	journal	April 2022
Struvite formation associated with the microalgae biofilm matrix of a rotating algal biofilm reactor (RABR) during nutrient removal from municipal wastewater Hillman, Kyle M.; Sims, Ronald C. Water Science and Technology, Vol. 81, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2020.133	journal	February 2020
The Use of Microalgae for Coupling Wastewater Treatment With CO2 Biofixation Molazadeh, Marziyeh; Ahmadzadeh, Hossein; Pourianfar, Hamid R. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Vol. 7 https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2019.00042	journal	March 2019
Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactor for Management and Valorization of Produced Wastewater Wood, Jonathan L.; Takemoto, Jon Y.; Sims, Ronald C. Frontiers in Energy Research, Vol. 10 https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2022.774760	journal	January 2022
Interaction Effects of Temperature, Light, Nutrients, and pH on Growth and Competition of Chlorella vulgaris and Anabaena sp. Strain PCC Meng, Shun Long; Chen, Xi; Wang, Jing Frontiers in Environmental Science, Vol. 9 https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2021.690191	journal	July 2021
Utilization of Different Carbon Sources by Nordic Microalgae Grown Under Mixotrophic Conditions Plöhn, Martin; Scherer, Kim; Stagge, Stefan Frontiers in Marine Science, Vol. 9 https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.830800	journal	March 2022
Isolation of phosphorus-hyperaccumulating microalgae from revolving algal biofilm (RAB) wastewater treatment systems Schaedig, Eric; Cantrell, Michael; Urban, Chris Frontiers in Microbiology, Vol. 14 https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1219318	journal	July 2023
Influence of Light Conditions on Microalgae Growth and Content of Lipids, Carotenoids, and Fatty Acid Composition Maltsev, Yevhen; Maltseva, Kateryna; Kulikovskiy, Maxim Biology, Vol. 10, Issue 10 https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10101060	journal	October 2021

Similar Records

An attached microalgae platform for recycling phosphorus through biologically mediated fertilizer formation and biomass cultivation

Journal Article · 2023 · Cleaner Engineering and Technology · OSTI ID:2222978

Goldsberry, Parker; Jeppesen, Peter; McLean, Joan; +1 more

Experimental and theoretical investigations of rotating algae biofilm reactors (RABRs): Areal productivity, nutrient recovery, and energy efficiency

Journal Article · 2023 · Biotechnology and Bioengineering · OSTI ID:2580591

Jones, Gerald; Sims, Ronald; Zhao, Jia

Techno-economic analysis of bioplastic and biofuel production from a high-ash microalgae biofilm cultivated in effluent from a municipal anaerobic digester

Journal Article · 2024 · Algal Research · OSTI ID:2549181

Watkins, Jacob; Zhu, Yunhua; Valdez, Peter J.; +4 more

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
RABR
algae
biofilm
biomass
harvesting period
hydraulic retention time
interaction effects
light intensity
rotating algae biofilm reactor
temperature

Title: Factorial experiment to identify two-way interactions between temperature, harvesting period, hydraulic retention time, and light intensity that influence the biomass productivity and phosphorus removal efficiency of a microalgae–bacteria biofilm

Citation Formats

References (50)

Similar Records

Related Subjects