Resource Recovery

Algae have the potential to play a key role in society's move to a circular economy. Not only do they have contain valuable lipids and proteins within their cell wall making them ideal feedstocks for biofuel, agricultural feedstock and human food supplements, but they have high capacity for nutrient uptake which means cells can also provide an excellent fertiliser. Consequently, nutrient-rich wastewater can simultaneously be treated using algae to lower nutrient concentrations to those acceptable for release of the water to the environment, while providing a growth medium to generate high concentrations of biomass. 

At the AOM Lab, we are conducting research to optimise processes that combine algal growth and wastewater treatment. 

To see the current projects in this stream, click here

                                                                                                                                                                            Image: Algal cultures that recover nutrients from wastewater (Credits: Naras Rao)

For opportunities in resource recovery projects, see here

Key Personnel

• Associate Professor Rita Henderson
• Associate Professor Pierre Le-Clech
• Dr Bojan Tamburic (School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW)
• Dr. Naras Rao

Key Publications