 | Developed
by researchers at the Smithsonian Institution to facilitate coral cultivation in
aquaria
|
| Attached algae offer high
production rates in low nutrient environments and, therefore, are ideal for
reducing phosphorus concentrations to very low levels
|
| Harvested algae is high in
protein and has value as a livestock feed ingredient
|
| The ATS™ compliments the
hyacinth system by adding dissolved oxygen, stripping excess carbon dioxide,
destroying pathogens, adjusting pH, and removing residual pollutants and
nutrients to low levels
|
| Proprietary automated
harvest methods developed by HydroMentia result in low cost management of the
algal crop |
Aquatic Plant Treatment:
The Technology
The Algal Turf Scrubber® (ATS™)
technology was developed by Dr. Walter Adey, Director of Marine Laboratories at
the Smithsonian Institution. Dr. Adey developed the ATS™ while researching
nutrient control technologies for oligotrophic or low nutrient systems at the
Smithsonian.
The ATS™ consists of a suitably
sloped substrate, typically plastic geomembrane, overlain with an attachment
grid, upon which nutrient enriched waters are discharged and an algal turf is
cultured. The algal turf consists of dense mats of small anatomically simple
algae less than several centimeters in height. Such turfs are effective at
removing carbon dioxide, nutrients and a variety of pollutants found in natural
or waste water. Wave surge motion is incorporated into the ATS™ to enhance the
exchange of metabolites between algal cells and the water medium. Critical to
the performance of the system, the cultured algae is routinely harvested to
avoid succession of the algal mat to macroalgae and macrophytes. Additionally,
operating parameters such as flow rates, nutrient concentration, pH and harvest
strategy are manipulated to optimize the precipitation of phosphorous onto the
algal cell walls, further enhancing phosphorus treatment capacity and reducing
system treatment costs.
As with the hyacinth treatment unit,
HydroMentia’s proprietary ATS™ biomass management techniques allow cost
effective and efficient management of the crop. Additionally, the company holds
exclusive license rights allowing the use of harvested periphytic algae as a
livestock feed ingredient and to the process for precipitating phosphorus onto
algal cell walls. Advances in the ATS™ technology are expected to enhance
treatment capabilities, further reducing treatment costs.
ATS™ Biomass Management
Dislodged algae filaments are moved into a conveyance flume and
transported via water to a centralized harvesting station . Attached algae
cultured on the ATS™ is severed during harvest and conveyed to an automated
central harvesting station.
At the ATS™, biomass is efficiently
harvested via proprietary methods where harvested biomass is transferred via a
conveyance flume that carries the ATS™ effluent. Mechanical harvesters
transport severed algal biomass from the growing matrix to the conveyance flume
where the algal turf is collected within an automatic rake at a centralized
harvesting station. The harvested biomass is then conveyed to a bunker where it
is available for further processing. A single operator can harvest over one acre
of ATS™ per hour, resulting in a harvest of about 5 wet tons or 0.5 dry tons.
The harvested plant material is typically 30% protein resulting in a high value
livestock feed product.
ATS™ Phosphorus Removal Performance
Rates of Phosphorus Removal;
mgTP/m2/day (lbs/acre/day)
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