Project R-9903

Static magnetic field technology for the treatment of wastewater obtaining biomass from microalgea. (Research)

Microalgae have generated a special interest for biomass production, thanks to its capacity to accumulate high value biomolecules of use for different industries such as: pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics and, recently, in the field of alternative energy resources from plant biological sources. Currently there are many efforts that are dedicated to increase the production of these microorganisms on a large scale. Several studies show the benefits of static magnetic field on the productivity of secondary metabolites, growth and condition of the cultures of microalgae species, among which Chlorella, Spirulina and Dunaliella stand out. The potential novelty of this research is an integrated magnetic treatment technology coupled to photobioreactors, to obtain biomass and wastewater treatment simultaneously from microalgae. No reports of a similar technology with magnetic treatment were found, however, this technology has as advantages the low operative cost, it has no proven toxic effects, it does not produce secondary contamination and it has a long useful life. However, a magnetic treatment technology is not yet available for this purpose. This project has the aim to develop an application methodology for this magnetic treatment by investigating the effect on the composition of the microalgae biomass and the effect on the nutrient removal as function of the microalgal growth cycle.

01 January 2020 - 31 December 2023