Systems and methods for treating waste streams

Abstract

According to present disclosure, there is disclosed an algae growth and cultivation system that provides a cost-efficient means of producing algae biomass as feedstock for algae-based products, such as, fertilizer, feed, biofuel manufacture, and desirably impacts, nutrient recovery from waste streams for valued byproducts production, recycle water, and alternative/renewable energy production. The system as discussed herein is an integrated systems approach to wastewater treatment, algal strains selection for byproducts production, and recycle of algal biomass-processing waste or additional algae harvested as feedstock for products such as fertilizer production. Embodiments of a system as discussed herein present an economically viable algae production system and process that allows algae-derived products such as fertilizer, feed, biofuels, etc. to compete with non-organic or petroleum products in the marketplace.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for cleaning a wastewater input stream comprising:
 inputting wastewater from the input stream into a first container housing a first algal stage sized and configured to extract a first chemical element via a first group of one or more microorganisms, wherein the first algal stage produces a first effluent having a lower concentration of the first chemical element than the input stream;   inputting the first effluent into a second container housing a second algal stage sized and configured to extract a second chemical element via a second group of one or more microorganisms, wherein the second algal stage produces a second effluent having a lower concentration of the second chemical element than the incoming first effluent; and   recirculating the second effluent back into the first container for further extraction of the first chemical element, wherein the further extraction is facilitated in part by the lower concentration of the second chemical element.   
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , further including the steps of:
 inputting the second effluent into a third container housing a third algal stage sized and configured to extract a third chemical element via microorganisms, wherein the third algal stage produces a third effluent having a lower concentration of the third chemical element than the incoming second effluent; and   recirculating the third effluent back into the second container for further extraction of the second chemical element, wherein the further extraction is facilitated in part by the lower concentration of the third chemical element.   
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the first chemical element is selected from a group consisting of: N, P, Ca, K, Mg, Na, Al, Fe, Mn, B, Cu, Zn, S, Pb, Cd, and As. 
     
     
         4 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the first group of microorganisms includes fungi. 
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 1 , further including generating potable water from the input stream.