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Abstract
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For further applications of microalgae such as bio-products, microalgal harvesting from its culture medium (e.g.
wastewater) must be studied. This becomes more essential when investigating whether or not cells can stay
viable to be recycled into the system. Microalgae culture, wastewater, and a mixture of both were separately
electrocoagulated at wastewater Chemical Oxygen Demand ranging 66–2700 mg.l-1 and biomass dry weights
between 1 and 8 g.l-1. The mixed culture contained species of C. Vulgaris, S. Obliquus, B. Braunii, B. Sudeticus, and
A. Falcatus, since mixed culture technique can reduce the expenses in industrial scales by eliminating the costly
sterilization strategies necessary to avoid contamination. The mixed samples were successfully separated with
the efficiencies between 44-87% and 70–80% at different Chemical Oxygen Demand and biomass dry weights,
respectively.
In addition, it was shown that growth elements of carbon and nitrogen, although at lower rates, were
consumed confirming the viability of the cells after electrocoagulation. The consumption rates for electrocoagulated
samples were smaller than non-electrocoagulated samples only by 16, 12, and 31% in carbon, nitrate
and ammonium concentrations, respectively. According to the obtained results electrical separation of microalgae
could effectively harvest microalgae from wastewater without affecting the viability of the biomass.
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