Abstract

1. Background Modified Design Original Design http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/content/SUST/BIOFUEL/110407_Biodieselfrommicroalgae.pdf http://roweb.cityu.edu.hk/researchreport/2002-2003/Project/020.jpg http://photos.mongabay.com/08/0423methaneglobal.jpg http://www.ieagreen.org.uk/newsletter/dec80/images/biofixation.JPG Taken: January 17, 2009 Taken on: December 21, 2008 Knowledge Base Original Design Modified Design Taken: January 17, 2009 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/content/SUST/BIOFUEL/110407_Biodieselfrommicroalgae.pdf Literature Review http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlamydomonas_reinhardtii Magnified 3000X Hypothesis Purpose • The use of bioreactors to combat the growing problem of greenhouse gases has been extensively studied in recent decades. • (Chisti, 2007) Abstract Tubular Photo Bioreactor Design Raceway Pond Design • A raceway pond is made of a closed loop re-circulation channel • (Chisti, 2007) • Consists of straight transparent tubes either made out of glass or plastic (also known as solar collectors) • (Chisti, 2007) • A self-contained bioreactor Control: Airlift Design Organism: S.limacinum Organism: C.reinhardtii • Contains pigments for photosynthesis • Known to contain EPA, DHA, and omega-3 fatty acids • Reliable source of oil production for biodiesels • (Kamlangdee, 2003) • Contains an enzyme called hydrogenase that allows creation of hydrogen • (Tiede, 2008) • Ability to produce hydrogen under anoxic conditions • (Fouchard, 2005) • Kim Pyo, Jun; et al (2006): • Experiment to enhance hydrogen production of C.reinhardtii by controlling light intensity • Maximum hydrogen production was obtained at a light intensity of 200 lumens • (Chisti,Y 2007): • Discussed the efficiency of the Raceway pond compared to the Tubular Photo bioreactor in growing biomass • Found that the Tubular Photo bioreactor was more efficient due to lower contamination risk Null Hypothesis H(o): No significant difference will be found in the growth of C.reinhardtii and S.limacinum in either bioreactor. Alternate Hypothesis H(a1): The airlift bioreactor will have the most overall growth of biomass Alternate Hypothesis H(a2): The growth of C.reinhardtii and S.limacinum will be greatest in the Tubular Photobioreactor when exposed to carbon dioxide. To create a bioreactor design that would enhance growth rate and energy yield in Schizochytrium limacinum and C.reinhardtii

2. C.Reinhardtii Growth in Raceway Tubes Discussion Taken on: February 4 ,2009 Reservoir for Tubular Photo Bioreactor Conclusion Taken on: January 17, ,2009 Limitations GLX Xplorer: Shown with Carbon Dioxide Sensor 2100 Spectrophotometer: Shown in Fume Hood Select Bibliography Taken on: January 30, ,2009 Taken on: January 17, ,2009 Future Studies • The Tubular Photobioreactor and Raceway Pond are suitable environments for growth of algae • Performance of Tubular and Raceway surpassed the control bioreactor • Growth in Tubular Bioreactor was greater than growth in the Raceway Pond for Trial 1 testing with 25% Medium • Daily exposure to carbon dioxide did not greatly effect pH levels in bioreactors for both trials • Trial 2: the Raceway Pond illustrated more growth, due to weaker pump, allowing slower flow of C.reinhardtii with 10% Medium • When testing for absorbance with Spectrophotometer, especially for the Airlift, the C.reinhardtii tend to settle at the bottom of the chamber which prevented proper suspension • Revision of Tubular Photobioreactor and Raceway Pond designs • Testing various tube diameters • Using grown C.reinhardtii and S.limacinum from bioreactors to extract hydrogen and oils, respectively, to test energy content • Data supports the Alternate Hypothesis • There was no significance regarding the Carbon Dioxide levels when pumped through the Tubular, Raceway Pond and Airlift Bioreactors for Trial 1 • Between 1/29-2/5, a significance was found when comparing transmittance levels and CO2 levels before exposure (p=.015) for Trial 2 • A weaker pump demonstrated to cause a larger growth within the algae, due to the restrained air and algae flow • Errors while using the Spectrophotometer occurred, causing incongruous data: Possibly caused by cuvette or contamination • Varying GLX Xplorer readings for carbon dioxide • Possible bacterial contamination in bioreactors “Algae Could One Day Be Major Hydrogen Fuel Source.” Science Daily. 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