Algae-bacteria mixed culture photobioreactor in OWL2

The Algae-bacteria mixed culture photobioreactors are based on a mixed process in which the oxidation of organic matter and the removal of nutrients (N and P) simultaneously occur, without the need for aeration, and therefore with minimal energy consumption.

The photo-bioreactor is a raceway or HRAP (High Rate Algal Pond) reactor, the most applied when it comes to cultivating microalgae and the most suitable to adapt them to wastewater treatment. This consists of a rectangular section carousel oval channel through which the residual water circulates thanks to the impulsion received by a set of blades mounted on a horizontal axis,

They work at depths ranging between 10 and 40 cm, so that access to light is maximized, and they operate with residence times of between 3 and 10 days, depending on the availability of light.

This system is appropriate for populations over 200 h.e.

The photobioreactor prototype has been developed by CENTA and the University of Cádiz in the framework of IDIaqua project.

More about IDIaqua project

IDIaqua project, an international project to promote RDI of excellence for water purification in small urban agglomerations. IDIaqua is financed by the European Union Spain-Portugal POCTEP 2014-2020 cross-border cooperation program, through FEDER funds.

In the project participate the following regions: Andalusia and Extremadura (Spain) and Algarve and Beiras e Serra da Estrela (Portugal).