A Study on the Elimination of Microcystis sp. using Microbubble

Abstract

This study carried out zeta potential measurements of the Microcystis sp. under various solutions condition and investigated the characteristics of Microcystis sp. through the size control of microbubbles to eliminate algae that causes problems in aquatic ecosystems and human activities. DAF process was adopted and several coagulants were used to remove the Microcystis sp. CCD Camera was used to measure and analyze the size of microbubble, and fluorescent microscope was used to observe the particle, algae species and community. Zeta potential behavior of the algae was analyzed by using ELS-Z. Lab-scale and pilot-scale experiments were conducted to test flotation process. Polyaluminium chloride(PAC) coagulant was used, and the removal efficiency of the algae was assessed through Chlorophyll-a analysis. In the Lab-scale experiment, 2.2 ppm, 11 ppm, 22 ppm, and 44 ppm of polyaluminium chloride was injected to coagulate the algae. The coagulated algae was floated by the microbubble. The microbubbles in the experiments were generated at a air pressure of 450 ∼ 550 kPa. The microbubble size was controlled in 36 μm, 100 μm, and 200 μm, respectively by using different diffuser. The results of lab-scale experiments on flotation plant indicated that the average removal rate was about 90% or above for 11 ppm, 22 ppm, and 44 ppm of polyaluminium chloride. On the other hand, in the pilot-scale experiment, the removal efficiency was in the range of 85% to 95% in all dose ranges of polyalumium chloride and aluminium sulfate coagulants.