Removal of field-collected Microcystis aeruginosa in pilot-scale by a jet pump cavitation reactor

Hydrodynamic cavitation has been investigated extensively in the field of water treatment in the last decade and a well-designed hydrodynamic cavitation reactor is critical to the efficient removal of algal and large-scale application. In this paper, a jet pump cavitation reactor (JPCR) is developed for the removal of cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginos in a pilot scale. The results demonstrate that the photosynthetic activity of M. aeruginosa is greatly inhibited immediately after treatment in the JPCR, and the growth is also hindered after 3 days culture. Moreover, a high cell disruptions of M. aeruginosa is detected after treated by JPCR. The release of chlorophyll-a indicates that the JPCR caused serious rupture to M. aeruginosa cells. The plausible cell disruption mechanisms are proposed in accordance with a fluorescence microscope and scanning electron microscope. Then, the optimization of cell disruption efficiency is also investigated for various operating conditions. The results showed that the algal cell disruption efficiency is improved at higher inlet pressure and the cavitation stage between the unstable limited operation cavitation stage and stable limited operation cavitation stage. The effect and optimization of JPCR on algal reduction are highlighted. The results of the study promote the application of hydrodynamic cavitation on algal removal and provide strong support for JPCR application in algal removal.