Pilot Scale Microalgae Cultivation: Challenges and Practical Solutions to Pond Crash

Pilot Scale Microalgae Cultivation: Challenges and Practical Solutions to Pond Crash brings together the latest research on microalgae cultivation for biofuels and proposes methods for tackling the critical issue of sudden pond crash in both pilot and demonstration scale cultivation. Engaging the challenges in both academic research and industrial applications, this book provides routes to identify signs of imminent pond crash, control damage where possible, and prevent future crashes through environmental control and early detection. Chapters outline microalgae cultivation at pilot scale, showing methods for upstream and down-stream processing of microalgae and outlining different applications for microalgae biomass, along with potential challenges.

• Provides the first comprehensive reference combining all past research on microalgae cultivation and the challenges surrounding sudden pond crashes
• Focuses on case studies drawn from two decades of experimentation, providing practical solutions to key problems in cultivation, along with a clear roadmap for moving forward at larger scales
• Considers cultivation from a techno-economic perspective, examining the particular challenges this adds to scaling up the process successfully

Dr. Faiz Ahmad Ansari is currently working as a Sr. Researcher in the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology in the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPs) project entitled “Production of Biofuels using Algal Biomass.” His Ph.D. research focuses on microalgae cultivation on demonstration scale (300,000 L) using wastewater as a medium, nutrients optimization for major metabolites, and biomass production. His research also focuses on microalgae harvesting using different techniques, the application of whole and lipid extracted algae as a protein source in aquaculture feed at demonstration scale, the handling of fish at demonstration scale, growth performance, and nutritional value analysis of fish, and the reuse of aquaculture wastewater for microalgae cultivation and biomass production for fish feed. Based on his Ph.D. and post Ph.D. research endeavors, he has a total of 20 peers reviewed publications and seven book chapters, with 888 citations.

Dr. Sanjay Kumar Gupta began his research career in 1999 at CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, India, previously known as the Industrial Toxicology Research Centre. His doctoral degree was awarded in 2010. He did two years (2012-14) post-doctoral research at the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technologies, Durban University of Technology, South Africa. He received an award as “one of the top post-doctoral fellows” for four years for his meritorious research contributions. Dr. Gupta’s research interests lie in environmental monitoring and ecotoxicological risk assessment, water and wastewater, algal technologies for bioremediation and biofuel production. He has co-edited three books. One of his book entitled “Algal Biofuels” is among the top performing 25% books of the subject since publication in 2017. His two co-edited books on “Catalysis for Clean Energy and Environmental Sustainability” are in press. He is a reviewer for more than 50 international journals. He has published 48 research articles in peer-reviewed high-impact international journals, 36 book chapters with reputed international publishers.

Ismail Rawat is a researcher at the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology. For a decade, his research focus has been algal biotechnology, specifically on biofuels, bioproducts, and nutrient recovery from waste substrates. Mr. Rawat has an MTech in Biotechnology and is currently completing his Ph.D. He has published 36 accredited journal articles, 6 book chapters, and 21 peer-reviewed conference proceedings, collectively cited 3822 times. Mr. Rawat is a recognized reviewer for several Elsevier journals and has reviewed for national and international funding agencies. He is also a member of the DUT community engagement committee and a DUT performance champion. Ismail is currently involved in a number of projects including: the Orange Knowledge Program (OKP); Bridging The Water: Co-Create To Learn & Experience (Nuffic; Okp-Icp-Saf-103136) (2019-2021); Primary Researcher on WRC Beneficiation of waste streams using algal systems (2019-2020); Enhanced Aquaculture Feed (Funder: KZN EDTEA) (2019/2020); Assistant Project Leader on (TBS13-00019-OC) “Tertiary treatment and beneficiation of domestic wastewater using microalgae (TIA funded) (2016-2021).

Professor Faizal Bux is a leading South African researcher in water and wastewater treatment technology, with over 30 years of experience advancing sustainable water solutions for developing economies. As Director of the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology at Durban University of Technology and Chair-holder of the South African Research Chairs Initiative, his career has evolved from applied wastewater treatment research to internationally recognised leadership in algal biotechnology, wastewater-based epidemiology, and resource recovery. He has authored more than 300 peer-reviewed publications, along with numerous book chapters and edited books, and holds a prestigious NRF B2 rating. His leadership roles within the International Water Association, the Academy of Science of South Africa, and the BRICS Networks University reflect his commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary research. Looking ahead, Prof. Bux aims to expand translational research addressing water security, public health surveillance, circular bioeconomy approaches, and climate-resilient wastewater treatment technologies.