Cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris on wastewater containing high levels of ammonia for biodiesel production
Journal
Bioresource Technology
Journal Volume
129
Pages
177-181
Date Issued
2013
Author(s)
Abstract
The feasibility of cultivating Chlorella vulgaris with wastewater containing high ammonia nitrogen concentrations was examined. The average specific growth rate of C. vulgaris was 0.92d-1 at 17mgL-1 NH4 +-N, but declined to 0.33d-1 at NH4 +-N concentrations of 39-143mgL-1. At 39mgL-1 NH4 +-N, lipid productivity reached a maximum value (23.3mgL-1d-1) and dropped sharply at higher NH4 +-N levels, which demonstrated NH4 +-N should be controlled for biodiesel production. C16 and C18 fatty acids accounted for 80% of total fatty acids. Increasing NH4 +-N from 17 to 207mgL-1 yielded additional short-chain and saturated fatty acids. Protein content was in positive correlation with NH4 +-N content from 17mgL-1 (12%) to 207mgL-1 (42%). Carbohydrate in the dried algae cell was in the range of 14-45%, with a peak value occurring at 143mgL-1 NH4 +-N. The results demonstrate that product quality can be manipulated by NH4 +-N concentrations of the initial feeds. ? 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
Subjects
Ammonia
Biodiesel production
Chlorella vulgaris
Fatty acids
Wastewater treatment
SDGs
Type
journal article