Dissolved air flotation (DAF) for biomass recovery from algal ponds

This work evaluated the performance of a dissolved air flotation (DAF) system for biomass recovery from the effluent of algal ponds used for sewage treatment in Northeast Brazil. Two different coagulants and effluent samples were tested following a random-factor experimental design (3^4–1–4 factors and 3 levels), in triplicate. Factor analysis showed that coagulant dose was the most important factor, independently of the type of coagulant and sample characteristics. For polyaluminium chloride it is possible to work with the original sample pH at the lower recirculation rate (10%) and flocculation time (10 minutes), being able to recovery an algal masses (dry basis) of around 1,200 kg/day and 550 kg/day from the primary facultative and second maturation pond (final effluent), respectively. DAF was more efficient for ferric chloride, however a pH correction to the value of 5.0 was necessary, leading the process to generate masses of solids (dry basis) of about 1,150 kg/day for the facultative pond and 830 kg/day for the maturation pond. Removals of suspended solids, turbidity, and chlorophyll-a were above 60%, reaching at optimal conditions removals up to 90%.