Microalgae removal technology for the cold source of nuclear power plant: A review

In the past three decades, nuclear energy has gained much attention as carbon-free electricity. Due to the supply of cooling water in nuclear power plant, large amount of waste heat will increase the water temperature, promote the microalgae and cyanobacteria propagation and increase the chance of red tide. Excess phytoplankton of cool source will result in abnormal operation of cooling system, even core overheating and nuclear leakage. Consequently, it is very important to remove microalgae and cyanobacteria from cold source of nuclear power plants. This review summarizes the formation mechanism and monitoring methods of red tide, compares the advantages and disadvantages of traditional microalgae removal technology including physical, chemical and biological methods. Furthermore, the improved electrochemical method and micro-nano bubble method are introduced in detail. Their combination is considered to be a low-cost, efficient and environmentally-friendly technology to prevent and control red tides for cold source of nuclear power plant.