NON-DESTRUCTIVE METHOD FOR ALGAE CONTAMINATED WATER TREATMENT AND ALGAE HARVEST OR REMOVAL

摘要

A method for treating an algal containing aqueous medium comprises adding an effective amount of the treatment composition to the aqueous medium wherein the treatment composition comprises 1) a) a water soluble cationic quaternary ammonium starch or b) a water soluble quaternary ammonium starch/gum blend or c) a water soluble modified tannin and 2) a metal containing inorganic coagulant. The so-treated algal containing aqueous medium is filtered such as by microfiltration and/or ultrafiltration to result in potable water. The algal containing aqueous medium is an agglomerated mass of algae with water dispersed throughout the mass. The method comprises a step of separating the algae from the water, thereby harvesting the algae for further processing. For example the further processing may ultimately lead to the production of biodiesel fuel.