Algae Oil Cultivation using Treated Domestic Wastewater

Abstract

This research investigated growth and lipid production from microalgae (Scenedesmus Sp.) using treated wastewater from the wastewater treatment plant of KhonKaen University as source of nutrient. The study compared the specific growth rate from different carbon sources including pure carbon dioxide gas and biogas as well as a control (no carbon addition). Algae were cultivated in a closed system and natural environment of (light and temperature). The study found that a system control with 100% CO₂ has highest growth rate of 34 mg / L-day, followed by control unit 1 of 32 mg / L-day, Bio-gas of 26 mg / L-day and control unit 2 of 12 mg / L-day. The lipid content of the system using pure was10.4%w/w while that of using biogas was 8.6%w/w. This was not much different. The study showed that cultivation of algae species Scenedesmus Sp.using wastewater has potential oil production. However, further study on economical aspect has to be done for alternative energy in the future.