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 successfully demonstrated the Research on Algae Flotation Techniques (RAFT) project at pilot scale. This study was designed to show that the sur-face 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.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2023
Accession Number
AD1214212

Entities

People

  • Ashley M. Gonzalez
  • Benjamin A. Greeling
  • Bradley T. Sartain
  • Catherine C. Thomas
  • Clinton J. Cender
  • Martin A. Page

Organizations

  • Engineer Research and Development Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Algae
  • Aquatic Organisms
  • Biological Pigments
  • Biopolymers
  • Chemistry
  • Construction
  • Cyanobacteria
  • Ecology
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Environment
  • Flotation
  • Materials
  • Optimization
  • Polymers
  • Polysaccharides
  • Scalability
  • Test Facilities

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Marine Ecotoxicology