Identifier

etd-12182012-143602

Degree

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Interest in biofuels research has increased in the era of uncertainty of the current fossil fuel sustainability and global climate concerns. Microalgae offer advantages over terrestrial plants as a potential source of biomass-based fuel. In this study, a Louisiana native microalgae/cyanobacteria (Chlorella vulgaris/Leptolyngbya sp.) co-culture was examined to provide foundational information of its growth conditions. Batch studies were conducted to determine optimum nitrogen and irradiance level that yields maximum co-culture biomass growth and productivity under aerated and non-aerated conditions. The optimum nitrogen level was 2.94 mM N and the optimum initial scalar irradiance range was between 400 – 800 µmol m-2 s-1 with continuous CO2-enriched aeration 2% v/v. Batch studies of the co-culture growth in heterotrophic and mixotrophic growth regime was also conducted with the addition of dextrose and sodium acetate. Louisiana native co-culture was capable of heterotrophic and mixotrophic growth, with maximum biomass concentration and neutral lipid production (2,113 g m-3 and 24.1 g m-3 d-1 respectively) achieved with the addition of 2,120 g m-3 sodium acetate which corresponds to C:N mass ratio of 15:1 under mixotrophic condition with N= 2.94 mM = 41.16 g m-3. The study of the Louisiana native co-culture continuous production in Hydraulically Integrated Serial Turbidostat Reactor (HISTAR) system was also conducted. The HISTAR system demonstrated the ability to maintain growth of Louisiana native co-culture.

Date

2012

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Secure the entire work for patent and/or proprietary purposes for a period of one year. Student has submitted appropriate documentation which states: During this period the copyright owner also agrees not to exercise her/his ownership rights, including public use in works, without prior authorization from LSU. At the end of the one year period, either we or LSU may request an automatic extension for one additional year. At the end of the one year secure period (or its extension, if such is requested), the work will be released for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Gutierrez-Wing, Maria T.

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.3145

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