A method of binding a target metal in solution. The method of binding a target metal comprises contacting a solution containing i) a target metal with ii) an encapsulated exudate of a culture of algal flagellate, or a fraction thereof; or an encapsulated dried Euglena biomass or a fraction thereof, to form a complex between the target metal, and the encapsulated exudate or fraction thereof, or the encapsulated dried Euglena biomass or the fraction thereof; and optionally separating the complex from the solution. The disclosure also relates to a biosorbent element, as well as methods of using same in binding a metal in solution.

A system and method for algal harvesting and destabilization are provided. The system includes a multifunctional reactive electrochemical membrane (REM). The application of an electrical current generates reactive species at the REM surface and oxidizes algae and soluble organic compounds. This novel type of membrane filtration avoids the use of harmful chemical additives. In addition, it provides the benefits of avoiding polymer aging, membrane fouling, and high costs caused by high transmembrane pressures and frequent membrane cleaning. Traditional membrane separation that significantly suffers from membrane fouling due to either the formation of a cake layer of algal cells, or more commonly due to organic matter adsorption onto the membrane surface is significantly avoided.

Embodiments include a vacuum airlift system for treating an aqueous effluent including an upflow liquid column, where the upflow liquid column is configured to retain a fluid, a fluid inlet, the fluid inlet being fluidly coupled with the upflow liquid column, where the fluid inlet is positioned at about the bottom of the upflow liquid column, a downflow liquid column, a fluid outlet, the fluid outlet being fluidly coupled with the downflow liquid column, wherein the fluid outlet is positioned at about the bottom of the downflow liquid column, and a plurality of moving bed biofilm reactors, the plurality of moving bed biofilm reactors being positioned in the upflow liquid column or the downflow liquid column.

A method for obtaining biofertilizer concentrates and biostimulants for agricultural use from biomass of microalgae, including cyanobacteria, wherein, firstly, the cellular content of the microalgae, including cyanobacteria, is released by rupturing the cells thereof; next, the protein fraction and the cell wall of the microalgae, including cyanobacteria, obtained from said release of the cellular content, are hydrolyzed with proteolytic enzymes until producing free amino acids; next, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and/or potassium (K) excipients are added to the previously obtained product of enzymatic hydrolysis.

Provided herein are phase separation devices and methods for performing phase separation of an aqueous mixture. Said devices and methods may include a cavitation component for cavitating the aqueous mixture to produce a cavitated aqueous mixture; and an electrosorption component for performing an electrosorptive phase separation of the cavitated aqueous mixture. Such devices and methods may be used for phase separation of aqueous mixtures including algal aqueous mixtures and/or mining or waste water aqueous mixtures, for example.

An algae scrubber system operates via a flow of water and a power source. The algae scrubber system does not require a bubbler. The rate of flow of the water may be variable. The algae scrubber system includes a screen that is configured to be removed from the system without shutting off the flow of water through the system and without spilling the water. The system includes a main body with a water distributor providing water to a tray. A screen hangs from the tray to and grow light(s) encourage algae growth on the screen.

The present invention generally relates to a novel process in which thin stillage is processed to produce algae oil and protein rich biomass as well as other energy rich byproducts. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, thin stillage is removed from an evaporator during the evaporation process to produce mid-stillage. This mid-stillage is preferably routed to a new process where it is directed to a pre-treatment centrifuge to remove suspended solids, sludge and corn oil. Thereafter, the mid-stillage is preferably cooled and then directed to a fermentation tank where the mid-stillage is subject to a batch fermentation process with algae seed fed from an algae inoculation system. Once the batch is harvested, the oil-rich algae/mid-stillage is then preferably heated to rupture the cells and liberate the oil. Thereafter, the oil-rich algae/mid-stillage is preferably processed by a centrifuge which produces solids, a light phase oil and a clean mid-stillage stream that can be evaporated to a very high level of solids.

The method and corresponding installation allow seawater to be biologically treated in order to purify it. The use of bioflocculation make it possible to avoid using exogenous coagulation and/or flocculation agents, allows a significant reduction in the clogging power of the water treated, allows an improvement of the yield and a reduction of the quantities of sludge produced to be treated then discharged.

A method of using microorganisms to remove a pollutant from a fluid by exposing microorganisms to a fluid containing a pollutant, the microorganisms uptake the pollutant, then the microorganisms are exposed to a condition in order to stimulate the microorganisms to release the pollutant. Furthermore, the microorganisms are harvested and used as a foodstuff for human and animal consumption.

A waste water treatment includes a biological filtration tank, a nitritation tank, and an anammox tank. The biological filtration tank performs biological filtration as a pretreatment process with regard to influent waste water and removes solids and organic matters. The nitritation tank performs a nitritation process with regard to waste water flowing from the biological filtration tank and supplies an electron acceptor needed for removing the organic matter in the biological filtration tank by returning some of the waste water back to the biological filtration tank. The anammox tank performs an anaerobic ammonium oxidizing process with regard to the waste water received from the biological filtration tank and the nitritation tank.