31 May 2024

pH Pivoting for Algae Coagulation: Bench-Scale Experimentation

Abstract: Harmful algal blooms (HABs) threaten recreational waters and public supplies across the US, causing detrimental economic and environmental effects to communities. HABs can be mitigated with dissolved air flotation (DAF) treatment, which requires addition of pH-sensitive charged chemicals to neutralize algae, allowing them to attach to microbubbles and float to the surface. During HAB events and photosynthesis, algae raise the pH to levels that are not ideal for DAF. Traditionally, pH is reduced with a strong acid; however, this adds operational cost and permanently adjusts the water’s pH. This study assessed an approach that might allow for infusing CO₂ from diesel-powered electricity generators into the water prior to DAF treatment. It was hypothesized that formation of carbonic acid could temporarily reduce the pH. Results showed that 2.5%–5.0% CO₂ mixed within compressed air can achieve pH levels between 6–7 in algal water with an initial pH of 9–11 and alkalinity of 150 mg/L as CaCO₃. Further, dosing CO₂ before chemical addition yielded a 31% improvement in water clarification. Returning the pH back to natural levels was not achieved using ambient air microbubbles; however, coarse bubble air spargers should be tested to provide more volumetric capacity for CO₂ absorption.

10 Oct 2023

Pilot-Scale Optimization: Research on Algae Flotation Techniques (RAFT)

Abstract: The impacts of harmful algal blooms (HABs) on US national waterways continue to cause significant economic and environmental damage. Researchers at the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) successfully demonstrated the Research on Algae Flotation Techniques (RAFT) project at pilot scale. This study was designed to show that the surface concentrations of algal biomass can be effectively increased with near linear scalability utilizing the natural methods by which some algae entrap air within excreted mucilage for flotation. The surface concentration of cyanobacteria measured as phycocyanin pigment increased by six-fold after RAFT flocculation treatment. Further optimization of chemical delivery systems, mixing, and dissolved air exposure will be required before full scale readiness.