Integrated Nutrient Recovery and Decolorization from Textile Effluent in an Algal System

From Wastewater to Energy

Authors

  • Md Abul Hasanath Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Dhaka International University, Bangladesh; Research Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, India
  • Md Mostafizur Rahman Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Presidency University, Bangladesh
  • Md Jahid Hasan Deputy Director & Head, Admission and Public Relations, Presidency University, Bangladesh
  • Md Nashir Uddin PhD Researcher and Graduate TA, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Morgan State University, United States of America
  • Monir Hossain PhD Researcher, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Portland State University, United States of America https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2841-9574
  • Md Nazmul Hasan Postgraduate Student, Institute of Business Administration, Rajshahi University, Bangladesh
  • Azahar M. Mishkat PhD Researcher, School of Material Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
  • Nahid Islam Undergraduate Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Military Institute of Science and Technology, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66460/puj.v4i1.7

Keywords:

Bioenergy, HRAP, Microalgae, Nutrient recovery

Abstract

This study investigated continuous textile wastewater treatment using a mixed microalgal consortium (Chlorella sp., Parachlorella sp., Coelastrella sp., and Scenedesmus sp.) in a 10-L high-rate algal pond (HRAP) system. In contrast to earlier investigations that focused on the optimization of specific operating variables under either batch or semi-continuous conditions, the current investigation attempted to optimize the HRT, OLR, and SRT simultaneously in a continuous mode with genuine textile wastewater, while at the same time conducting a downstream evaluation of biomass utilization for energy production. Textile wastewater with an initial COD of 1520 mg/L, BOD5 of 620 mg/L, and dye concentration measured at λmax= 580 nm was treated under varying HRT conditions (3-10 days). Optimal performance was achieved at HRT of 5 days and SRT of 20 days, resulting in 72% COD removal, 80% BOD5 removal, 88% TN removal, and 80% decolorization. All improvements in pollutant removal and biomass productivity at optimal HRT and SRT were statistically significant (p < 0.05, one-way ANOVA). Biomass productivity reached 56.3 mg/L.d with a balanced biochemical composition of 42.5% protein, 28.3% lipid, and 18.7% carbohydrate. Elemental analysis (C 47.2%, H 6.8%, N 8.1%, S 1%) supported theoretical energy estimates of 342 mL CH4/g VS for biomethane and 83-98 mg bioethanol/g biomass. The integrated system demonstrates a viable pathway for the textile sector to transition toward a sustainable circular bioeconomy, coupling effective effluent treatment with energy-rich biomass production.

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Published

2026-07-22

How to Cite

Md Abul Hasanath, Md Mostafizur Rahman, Md Jahid Hasan, Md Nashir Uddin, Monir Hossain, Md Nazmul Hasan, … Nahid Islam. (2026). Integrated Nutrient Recovery and Decolorization from Textile Effluent in an Algal System: From Wastewater to Energy. Presidency University Journal, 4(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.66460/puj.v4i1.7

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026)

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Md Abul Hasanath

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