Optimization of Scendesmus sp. Growth in a Photobioreactor
Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Major
Chemical Engineering; Biological Sciences
Research Advisor
Al-Dahhan, Muthanna H.
Advisor's Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Funding Source
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Research Funds
Abstract
In this project, a photobioreactor was constructed using the specifications 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 growth factors of the algae with respect to incident light. Some factors were altered in the processes in order to find optimum growth parameters and maintain proper fluid flow, support, and lighting. These factors include, but are not limited to, light to dark ratio, Carbon dioxide concentration, and lighting intensity. This project's testing was focused on and performed with the freshwater algae species, Scenedesmus quadricauda. Moreover, this process can also be applied to any single-celled or microalgae species in such a way as to reduce the time and effort needed to efficiently grow each species in any type of desired photobioreactor that is more applicable to industrial situations.
Biography
Charlene is a non-traditional senior majoring in both the Chemical Engineering: Bioemphasis and the Biological Sciences programs. She 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
03 Apr 2013, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Optimization of Scendesmus sp. Growth in a Photobioreactor
Upper Atrium/Hallway
In this project, a photobioreactor was constructed using the specifications 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 growth factors of the algae with respect to incident light. Some factors were altered in the processes in order to find optimum growth parameters and maintain proper fluid flow, support, and lighting. These factors include, but are not limited to, light to dark ratio, Carbon dioxide concentration, and lighting intensity. This project's testing was focused on and performed with the freshwater algae species, Scenedesmus quadricauda. Moreover, this process can also be applied to any single-celled or microalgae species in such a way as to reduce the time and effort needed to efficiently grow each species in any type of desired photobioreactor that is more applicable to industrial situations.
