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Abstract
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The dewatering of algal culture requires coagulation of the algal cells. However, the coagulation in a
continuous operation is slowed down through the excretion of Soluble Algal Products (SAPs).
Electrocoagulation (EC), already utilized as a coagulation technique, has been investigated for its effects
on SAPs characterizations. A mixed culture of Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus Obliquus, Botryococcus
braunii, Botryococcus sudeticus, and Afrocarpus falcatus was prepared and SAPs characteristics, including
Specific Ultra Violet Absorbance (SUVA), Zeta potential, Molecular Weight (MW) fractionation, Dissolved
Organic Carbon (DOC), protein and carbohydrate content, Excitation-Emission Matrix, and hydropho-
bicity using XAD resins, were measured and evaluated before and after electrocoagulation using mild
steel and aluminum electrodes at 5 and 10 min. The results showed several improvements after EC.
According to results, EC can render SAPs hydrophobicity up to 95 %, and the
fluorescence peak results
showed the complete removal of humic-like. Moreover, the SAPs were removed up to 21, 60, and 47 % for
protein, carbohydrate and DOC, respectively. Results collectively showed that electrocoagulation might
be able to mitigate the negative effects of growth on
flocculation.
© 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access
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