Microalgae-based wastewater treatment: Advances and challenges in membrane harvesting technologies

TY - JOUR

T1 - Microalgae-based wastewater treatment

T2 - Advances and challenges in membrane harvesting technologies

AU - Yang, Kangxin

AU - Wang, Jingwei

AU - Zheng, Jie

AU - Cai, Weiwei

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 Elsevier B.V.

PY - 2025/7/8

Y1 - 2025/7/8

N2 - Current wastewater treatment methodologies are limited by the high costs and complexities involved in efficiently removing nitrogen and phosphorus. Microalgae-based treatment has emerged as a superior alternative, providing sustainable nutrient recovery while producing valuable biomass suitable for bio-refining. This review explores recent advancements in microalgae-based wastewater treatment, with a focus on membrane harvesting technologies. Each wastewater type offers potential for microalgae cultivation, but optimizing growth requires careful control of nutrient content, contaminants, and physical conditions. Key factors include optimizing C/N and N/P ratios for different microalgae species and utilizing pretreatment methods to reduce microbial load and inhibitory components. Tailored treatments and innovative approaches are crucial to unlocking the full potential of these systems. While membrane processes are efficient and straightforward to operate, membrane fouling remains a significant challenge. This review highlights advanced strategies to mitigate fouling, such as surface modifications, hybrid membrane systems, and novel low-energy processes like solid–liquid fluidization. The integration of membrane technologies with bioenergy production is presented as a promising pathway to enhance sustainability and economic viability. Despite notable progress, continued research and technological innovation are essential to overcome fouling and energy consumption challenges, ensuring scalability and cost-effectiveness in real-world applications of microalgae-based wastewater treatment.

AB - Current wastewater treatment methodologies are limited by the high costs and complexities involved in efficiently removing nitrogen and phosphorus. Microalgae-based treatment has emerged as a superior alternative, providing sustainable nutrient recovery while producing valuable biomass suitable for bio-refining. This review explores recent advancements in microalgae-based wastewater treatment, with a focus on membrane harvesting technologies. Each wastewater type offers potential for microalgae cultivation, but optimizing growth requires careful control of nutrient content, contaminants, and physical conditions. Key factors include optimizing C/N and N/P ratios for different microalgae species and utilizing pretreatment methods to reduce microbial load and inhibitory components. Tailored treatments and innovative approaches are crucial to unlocking the full potential of these systems. While membrane processes are efficient and straightforward to operate, membrane fouling remains a significant challenge. This review highlights advanced strategies to mitigate fouling, such as surface modifications, hybrid membrane systems, and novel low-energy processes like solid–liquid fluidization. The integration of membrane technologies with bioenergy production is presented as a promising pathway to enhance sustainability and economic viability. Despite notable progress, continued research and technological innovation are essential to overcome fouling and energy consumption challenges, ensuring scalability and cost-effectiveness in real-world applications of microalgae-based wastewater treatment.

KW - Fouling mitigation

KW - Membrane harvesting

KW - Microalgae cultivation

KW - Microalgae harvesting

KW - Wastewater treatment

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85211020452

U2 - 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.130805

DO - 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.130805

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:85211020452

SN - 1383-5866

VL - 360

JO - Separation and Purification Technology

JF - Separation and Purification Technology

M1 - 130805

ER -