Caractérisation des phénomènes d'auto-floculation, de bio-floculation et de co-floculation des microalgues dans un chenal algal à haut rendement (synthèse bibliographique)

Auto-flocculation, bio-flocculation and co-flocculation of microalgae. A review. Recovery of microalgae is one of the main technological and economic concerns in a High Rate Algal Pond because of the small size, the negative surface charges and the low density of these microalgae. Usual recovery techniques (e.g. centrifugation) carry prohibitive energy costs with respect to the final value of products. Moreover, efficient recovery techniques (i.e., those that are natural, sustainable and low cost) are of great interest in waste water treatment processes. In this article, a literature review is conducted in order to identify the theories and mechanisms of three methods used for microalgae recovery (i.e. auto-flocculation, bio-flocculation and co-flocculation), and the characterization of physico-chemical conditions necessary for their implementation. This review could advance the current knowledge regarding some of the processes discussed in the literature and provide a basis for the optimal management of reactors in order to achieve efficient results using these methods