Optimization of Growth Parameters in a Tubular Photobioreactor
Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Major
Chemical Engineering; Bio-emphasis
Research Advisor
Al-Dahhan, Muthanna H.
Advisor's Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Funding Source
Missouri S&T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Program; Chemical Engineering Department Funding
Abstract
In this project, a tubular photobioreactor was constructed following the guidelines and modeling equations found in the thesis “Mathematical Modeling for Photobioreactor Design” by Xiaoxi Wu. This reactor and theory were used to map and understand the growth rates, and consequently, oil and/or desired gene production of the algae in relation to incident light. Some factors were altered in the processes for finding the optimum growth parameters and for achieving proper fluid flow, structural support, and lighting. These factors include, but are not limited to, light to dark ratio, Carbon dioxide concentration, lighting type, and flow direction. The initial testing was performed with the freshwater algae species, Scenedesmus quadricauda. Moreover, this process can also be applied to any single-celled or micro- algae species in such a way as to reduce the time and effort needed to learn how to efficiently grow each species in any type of desired photobioreactor.
Biography
Charlene is a non-traditional senior majoring in both the Chemical Engineering: Bioemphasis and the Biological Sciences programs. She is a married mother of one that aspires to attain a PhD in Chemical Engineering with an emphasis in pharmaceutical delivery systems. Charlene would like to run a research and development lab for a large-scale pharmaceutical company. She hopes to find a solution for the treatment of viruses and to serve as an inspiration and a role model for her son.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
10 Apr 2012, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Optimization of Growth Parameters in a Tubular Photobioreactor
Upper Atrium/Hallway
In this project, a tubular photobioreactor was constructed following the guidelines and modeling equations found in the thesis “Mathematical Modeling for Photobioreactor Design” by Xiaoxi Wu. This reactor and theory were used to map and understand the growth rates, and consequently, oil and/or desired gene production of the algae in relation to incident light. Some factors were altered in the processes for finding the optimum growth parameters and for achieving proper fluid flow, structural support, and lighting. These factors include, but are not limited to, light to dark ratio, Carbon dioxide concentration, lighting type, and flow direction. The initial testing was performed with the freshwater algae species, Scenedesmus quadricauda. Moreover, this process can also be applied to any single-celled or micro- algae species in such a way as to reduce the time and effort needed to learn how to efficiently grow each species in any type of desired photobioreactor.
