Pilot scale high-rate algal ponds followed by settling tanks were deve
loped to produce algal biomass from wastewater for greenery developmen
t and agricultural use in arid zones, like Kuwait. The high-rate ponds
designed and operated by instructions resulting from the authors' res
earch work can produce algal biomass of 300-400 kg/ha.d in summer and
200-300 kg/ha.d in winter seasons. The actual yield depends on the eff
iciency of the floc formation and settling. A minimum of a 2-h residen
ce time in the settling tanks is needed to achieve adequate separation
of the phases, assuming healthy algae culture that are susceptible to
flock formation. The flock formation and settling properties are sens
itive to the weather and operational parameters (e.g., sunshine, hydra
ulic conditions in settling tank, variations of the flow rate, and pon
d depth). If conditions are inadequate, 20-30% of the biomass can be l
ost. Satisfactory biomass production can be achieved only with careful
plant operation and maintenance. The sensitivity of the algae separat
ion by settling operation indicated the development of a modified sand
filter system for algae trapping.