Microalgae dewatering is a major obstruction to industrial-scale processing of microalgae for biofuel prodn. The dil. nature of harvested microalgal cultures creates a huge operational cost during dewatering, thereby, rendering algae-based fuels less economically attractive. Currently there is no superior method of dewatering microalgae. A technique that may result in a greater algal biomass may have drawbacks such as a high capital cost or high energy consumption. The choice of which harvesting technique to apply will depend on the species of microalgae and the final product desired. Algal properties such as a large cell size and the capability of the microalgae to autoflocculate can simplify the dewatering process. This article reviews and addresses the various technologies currently used for dewatering microalgal cultures along with a comparative study of the performances of the different technologies.

Dewatering of microalgal cultures : a major bottleneck to algae-based fuels

Rice husk, which is a relatively abundant and inexpensive material, is currently being investigated as an adsorbent for the removal of various pollutants from water and wastewaters. Various pollutants, such as dyes, phenols, organic compounds, pesticides, inorganic anions, and heavy metals can be removed very effectively with rice husk as an adsorbent. This article presents a brief review on the role of rice husk and rice husk ash in the removal of various pollutants from wastewater. Studies on the adsorption of various pollutants by rice husk materials are reviewed and the adsorption mechanism, influencing factors, favorable conditions, etc., discussed in this article. It is evident from the review that rice husk and its ash can be potentially utilized for the removal of various pollutants from water and wastewaters.

Rice Husk and Its Ash as Low-Cost Adsorbents in Water and Wastewater Treatment

Biofilms are widespread in nature and constitute an important strategy implemented by microorganisms to survive in sometimes harsh environmental conditions. They can be beneficial or have a negative impact particularly when formed in industrial settings or on medical devices. As such, research into the formation and elimination of biofilms is important for many disciplines. Several new methodologies have been recently developed for, or adapted to, biofilm studies that have contributed to deeper knowledge on biofilm physiology, structure and composition. In this review, traditional and cutting-edge methods to study biofilm biomass, viability, structure, composition and physiology are addressed. Moreover, as there is a lack of consensus among the diversity of techniques used to grow and study biofilms. This review intends to remedy this, by giving a critical perspective, highlighting the advantages and limitations of several methods. Accordingly, this review aims at helping scientists in finding the most appropriate and up-to-date methods to study their biofilms.

https://tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/1040841X.2016.1208146

Critical review on biofilm methods

A review of the recent advances on the treatment of industrial wastewaters by Sulfate Radical-based Advanced Oxidation Processes (SR-AOPs)

A review on anaerobic membrane bioreactors: Applications, membrane fouling and future perspectives

Sulfate radical (SO4•–) is widely recognized as the predominant species generated from the cobalt(II)-activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS) process. However, in this study, it was surprisingly found th...

Unraveling the Overlooked Involvement of High-Valent Cobalt-Oxo Species Generated from the Cobalt(II)-Activated Peroxymonosulfate Process

Enhancing methane production from rice straw by extrusion pretreatment

Effect of TiO2 nanowire addition on PVDF ultrafiltration membrane performance

The application of low pressure membranes (microfiltration/ultrafiltration) has undergone accelerated development for drinking water production. However, the major obstacle encountered in its popularization is membrane fouling caused by natural organic matter (NOM). This paper firstly summarizes the two factors causing the organic membrane fouling, including molecular weight (MW) and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of NOM, and then presents a brief introduction of the methods which can prevent membrane fouling such as pretreatment of the feed water (e.g., coagulation, adsorption, and pre-oxidation) and membrane hydrophilic modification (e.g., plasma modification, irradiation grafting modification, surface coating modification, blend modification, etc.). Perspectives of further research are also discussed.

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/3/3/226/pdf

Huaqiang Chu

Papers

Unraveling the Overlooked Involvement of High-Valent Cobalt-Oxo Species Generated from the Cobalt(II)-Activated Peroxymonosulfate Process

Enhancing methane production from rice straw by extrusion pretreatment

Effect of TiO2 nanowire addition on PVDF ultrafiltration membrane performance

Pretreatment and Membrane Hydrophilic Modification to Reduce Membrane Fouling

Nutrients removal and lipids production by Chlorella pyrenoidosa cultivation using anaerobic digested starch wastewater and alcohol wastewater.