Transforming Wastewater into Biofuel: Nutrient Removal and Biomass Generation with Chlorella vulgaris
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Date
2024-09-30
Journal Title
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Publisher
Energies
Abstract
This study investigates the potential of Chlorella vulgaris for nutrient removal and biomass
production in synthetic wastewater. The experiments were conducted in 2 L photobioreactors under
controlled aeration, agitation, and lighting conditions for 19 days. Despite a moderate growth rate
(0.137 d−1), C. vulgaris achieved efficient pollutant removal, with 97% of nitrate, 90% of nitrite, and
90.6% of COD eliminated. Additionally, the biomass was processed to extract fatty acids, yielding
a 20% extraction rate, indicating its potential as a biofuel feedstock. These results demonstrate C.
vulgaris’s dual function in wastewater remediation and biofuel production, presenting a sustainable
and economically viable approach to addressing environmental challenges.