Microalgae bioreactor efficiency for treatment of the wastewater aerobic stage effluent with biohydrogen production

In last decade, several research studies regarding the use of microalgae in treatment of the aerobic stage effluent have been carried out. Likewise, our research group has tested hybrid models including dark fermentation and photo fermentation with hydrogen production. In this study, the measurement of microalgae bioreactor efficiency for treatment of wastewater aerobic stage effluent from Wastewater Treatment Plant Timisoara, with bio-hydrogen production was pursuit. In photo fermentation process, nitrates and phosphates evolution from the Wastewater Treatment Plant Timisoara effluent combined with bio-hydrogen production are controlled. During experimental period, 85% decrease in nitrate concentration and 78% in phosphates concentration was determined. In parallel with nitrates and phosphates decrease, an 18% increase of bio-hydrogen production was determined. The photo-bioreactor displayed good efficiency for wastewater aerobic stage effluent treatment combined with bio-hydrogen production. Further work concerning optimization of the process by improvement in metabolic parameters will be carried out.