Removal of Ammonia From Wastewater Effluent by Chlorella Vulgaris

Abstract

 

Chlorella vulgaris was used to remove residual ammonia present in the wastewater effluent using batch experiments in a closed system.  The experimental results indicate that Chlorella vulgaris has the capability to significantly reduce the ammonia concentration after a short lag-phase period.  Total inorganic carbon was also removed along with ammonia.  It was observed that nitrogen and phosphorus are the important nutrients which influence the growth of Chlorella vulgaris as carbon was present in a sufficient amount and illumination through light source was also sufficiently provided.  The influence of nitrogen and phosphorus concentration was studied on the growth of Chlorella vulgaris through batch experiments.  A growth model was developed based on Monod equation.  The growth model developed from batch experiments was used to develop a performance equation for the design a continuous reactor for removal of ammonia from wastewater effluent, for practical application in a wastewater treatment plant at Mill Creek plant in Cincinnati.