Abstract
This work studied oxygen production and nutrient utilization by Chlorella vulgaris at different organic/inorganic carbon (OC/IC) and ammonium/nitrate (NH
-N/NO
-N) ratios to design a hybrid aerobic membrane bioreactor (MBR) and membrane photobioreactor (MPBR) system. Specific oxygen production by C. vulgaris was enough to support the MBR if high growth is accomplished. Nearly 100% removal (or utilization) of PO
-P and IC was achieved under all conditions tested. Optimal growth was achieved at mixotrophic carbon conditions (0.353d
) and the highest NH
-N concentration (0.357d
), with preferable NH
-N utilization rather than NO
-N. The results indicate the potential of alternative process designs to treat domestic wastewater by coupling the hybrid MBR - MPBR systems.