Abstract

BackgrounBackgrounddThe use of The use of

bioreactors to combat bioreactors to combat the growing problem the growing problem of greenhouse gases of greenhouse gases has been extensively has been extensively studied in recent studied in recent decades.decades.

(Chisti, 2007)(Chisti, 2007)

http://www.ieagreen.org.uk/newsletter/dec80/images/biofixation.JPG

http://photos.mongabay.com/08/0423methaneglobal.jpg Knowledge Knowledge BaseBaseRaceway Pond Raceway Pond

DesignDesignA raceway pond is made of a closed loop re-circulation channel(Chisti, 2007)

Tubular Photo Bioreactor Tubular Photo Bioreactor DesignDesign

Consists of straight Consists of straight transparent tubes either made transparent tubes either made out of glass or plastic (also out of glass or plastic (also known as solar collectors)known as solar collectors)(Chisti, 2007)(Chisti, 2007)

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/content/SUST/BIOFUEL/110407_Biodieselfrommicroalgae.pdf

Original Design

Control: Airlift Control: Airlift DesignDesign

A self-A self-contained contained bioreactorbioreactor

Taken on: December 21, 2008Organism: Organism:

S.limacinumS.limacinumContains Contains pigments for pigments for photosynthesisphotosynthesisKnown to Known to contain EPA, contain EPA, DHA, and DHA, and omega-3 fatty omega-3 fatty acidsacidsReliable Reliable source of oil source of oil production for production for biodieselsbiodiesels(Kamlangdee, (Kamlangdee, 2003)2003)

http://roweb.cityu.edu.hk/researchreport/2002-2003/Project/020.jpg

Organism: Organism: C.reinhardtiiC.reinhardtii

Contains an Contains an enzyme called enzyme called hydrogenase that hydrogenase that allows creation of allows creation of hydrogen hydrogen

(Tiede, 2008)(Tiede, 2008)Ability to produce Ability to produce hydrogen under hydrogen under anoxic conditionsanoxic conditions

(Fouchard, 2005)(Fouchard, 2005)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlamydomonas_reinhardtii Magnified 3000XLiterature Literature

ReviewReviewKim Pyo, Jun; et al (2006): Kim Pyo, Jun; et al (2006): Experiment to enhance hydrogen production of Experiment to enhance hydrogen production of C.reinhardtii C.reinhardtii by controlling light intensityby controlling light intensityMaximum hydrogen production was obtained at a light Maximum hydrogen production was obtained at a light intensity of 200 lumensintensity of 200 lumens

(Chisti,Y 2007):(Chisti,Y 2007):Discussed the efficiency of the Raceway pond compared to the Discussed the efficiency of the Raceway pond compared to the Tubular Photo bioreactor in growing biomassTubular Photo bioreactor in growing biomassFound that the Tubular Photo bioreactor was more efficient Found that the Tubular Photo bioreactor was more efficient due to lower contamination riskdue to lower contamination risk

PurposePurposeTo create a bioreactor To create a bioreactor

design that would enhance design that would enhance growth rate and energy growth rate and energy yield in yield in Schizochytrium Schizochytrium

limacinumlimacinum and and C.reinhardtiiC.reinhardtii

HypothesisHypothesis

Modified Design

Taken: January 17, 2009

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/content/SUST/BIOFUEL/110407_Biodieselfrommicroalgae.pdf

Original Design

Taken: January 17, 2009

Modified Design

Null Hypothesis H(o):Null Hypothesis H(o): No significant No significant difference will be found in the growth difference will be found in the growth of C.reinhardtii and S.limacinum in of C.reinhardtii and S.limacinum in either bioreactor.either bioreactor.

Alternate Hypothesis H(a1):Alternate Hypothesis H(a1): The The airlift bioreactor will have the most airlift bioreactor will have the most overall growth of biomassoverall growth of biomass

Alternate Hypothesis H(a2):Alternate Hypothesis H(a2): The The growth of C.reinhardtii and growth of C.reinhardtii and S.limacinum will be greatest in the S.limacinum will be greatest in the Tubular Photobioreactor when Tubular Photobioreactor when exposed to carbon dioxide.exposed to carbon dioxide.

DiscussionDiscussion The Tubular Photobioreactor and The Tubular Photobioreactor and

Raceway Pond are suitable Raceway Pond are suitable environments for growth of algaeenvironments for growth of algae

Performance of Tubular and Performance of Tubular and Raceway surpassed the control Raceway surpassed the control bioreactorbioreactor

Growth in Tubular Bioreactor was Growth in Tubular Bioreactor was greater than growth in the greater than growth in the Raceway Pond for Trial 1 testing Raceway Pond for Trial 1 testing with 25% Mediumwith 25% Medium

Daily exposure to carbon dioxide Daily exposure to carbon dioxide did not greatly effect pH levels in did not greatly effect pH levels in bioreactors for both trialsbioreactors for both trials

Trial 2: the Raceway Pond Trial 2: the Raceway Pond illustrated more growth, due to illustrated more growth, due to weaker pump, allowing slower flow weaker pump, allowing slower flow of C.reinhardtii with 10% Mediumof C.reinhardtii with 10% Medium

When testing for absorbance with When testing for absorbance with Spectrophotometer, especially for Spectrophotometer, especially for the Airlift, the C.reinhardtii tend to the Airlift, the C.reinhardtii tend to settle at the bottom of the chamber settle at the bottom of the chamber which prevented proper which prevented proper suspensionsuspension

ConclusionConclusion Data supports the Alternate Data supports the Alternate

HypothesisHypothesis There was no significance There was no significance

regarding the Carbon Dioxide regarding the Carbon Dioxide levels when pumped through the levels when pumped through the Tubular, Raceway Pond and Airlift Tubular, Raceway Pond and Airlift Bioreactors for Trial 1Bioreactors for Trial 1

Between 1/29-2/5, a significance Between 1/29-2/5, a significance was found when comparing was found when comparing transmittance levels and COtransmittance levels and CO22 levels before exposure (p=.015) levels before exposure (p=.015) for Trial 2for Trial 2

A weaker pump demonstrated to A weaker pump demonstrated to cause a larger growth within the cause a larger growth within the algae, due to the restrained air algae, due to the restrained air and algae flowand algae flow

LimitationsLimitations Errors while using the Errors while using the

Spectrophotometer occurred, Spectrophotometer occurred, causing incongruous data: Possibly causing incongruous data: Possibly caused by cuvette or contaminationcaused by cuvette or contamination

Varying GLX Xplorer readings for Varying GLX Xplorer readings for carbon dioxidecarbon dioxide

Possible bacterial contamination in Possible bacterial contamination in bioreactorsbioreactorsFuture Future

StudiesStudies Revision of Tubular Revision of Tubular

Photobioreactor and Photobioreactor and Raceway Pond designsRaceway Pond designs

Testing various tube Testing various tube diametersdiameters

Using grown Using grown C.reinhardtii and C.reinhardtii and S.limacinum from S.limacinum from bioreactors to extract bioreactors to extract hydrogen and oils, hydrogen and oils, respectively, to test respectively, to test energy contentenergy content Select Select

BibliographyBibliography““Algae Could One Day Be Major Hydrogen Fuel Source.” Algae Could One Day Be Major Hydrogen Fuel Source.” Science Daily. Science Daily. April 2, 2008.April 2, 2008.Belarbi, E-H; Molina, E; Chisti, Y. “A process for high yield and scaleable recovery of high purity eicosapentaenoic acid esters from microalgae and fish oil.” Belarbi, E-H; Molina, E; Chisti, Y. “A process for high yield and scaleable recovery of high purity eicosapentaenoic acid esters from microalgae and fish oil.” Enzyme and Enzyme and

Microbial Technology. Microbial Technology. Vol. 26, Pgs. 516-529., 2000.Vol. 26, Pgs. 516-529., 2000.Biello, David. “Combating Climate Change: Scaling Back Greenhouse Gas Emissions While Keeping the Lights On.” Biello, David. “Combating Climate Change: Scaling Back Greenhouse Gas Emissions While Keeping the Lights On.” Scientific American. Scientific American. May 8, 2007.May 8, 2007.Biello, David. “Pollution-Free Hydrogen SUV Hits the Driveway.” Biello, David. “Pollution-Free Hydrogen SUV Hits the Driveway.” Scientific American. Scientific American. March 20, 2008.March 20, 2008.Brown, Kenneth. “Producing Renewable Hydrogen From Biomass.” Brown, Kenneth. “Producing Renewable Hydrogen From Biomass.” BioCycle. BioCycle. Pg. 54, Vol. 45., January 1, 2004.Pg. 54, Vol. 45., January 1, 2004.Bullis, Kevin. “Algae-Based Fuels Set to Bloom.” Bullis, Kevin. “Algae-Based Fuels Set to Bloom.” Technology Review. Technology Review. February 5, 2007.February 5, 2007.Chisti, Yusuf. “Biodiesel from Microalgae.” Chisti, Yusuf. “Biodiesel from Microalgae.” Biotechnology Advances. Biotechnology Advances. Vol. 25, Pgs. 294-306. February 13, 2007.Vol. 25, Pgs. 294-306. February 13, 2007.Chisti, Y; Moo-Young, M. “Clean-in-place systems for industrial bioreactors: design, validation, and operation.” Chisti, Y; Moo-Young, M. “Clean-in-place systems for industrial bioreactors: design, validation, and operation.” Journal of Industrial Microbiology. Journal of Industrial Microbiology. Vol. 13, Pgs. 201-207., Vol. 13, Pgs. 201-207.,

1994.1994.Gavrilescu, M; Chisti, Y. “Biotechnology- a sustainable alternative for chemical industry.” Gavrilescu, M; Chisti, Y. “Biotechnology- a sustainable alternative for chemical industry.” Biotechnology Advances. Biotechnology Advances. Vol. 23, Pgs. 471-499., 2005.Vol. 23, Pgs. 471-499., 2005.Ghirardi L, Maria; et al. Ghirardi L, Maria; et al. “Cyclic Photobiological Algal H2-Production.” “Cyclic Photobiological Algal H2-Production.” Proceedings of the 2002 U.S. DOE Hydrogen Program Review. Proceedings of the 2002 U.S. DOE Hydrogen Program Review. Colorado, 2002.Colorado, 2002.Hatcher G, Patrick. “Algae Can Help Us Move Past Ethanol’s Problems.” Hatcher G, Patrick. “Algae Can Help Us Move Past Ethanol’s Problems.” RichmondRichmond Times-Dispatch. Times-Dispatch. March 23, 2008.March 23, 2008.Kamlangdee, N; Fan, K.W. “Polyunsaturated fatty acids production byKamlangdee, N; Fan, K.W. “Polyunsaturated fatty acids production by Schizochytrium sp. Schizochytrium sp. Isolated from mangrove.” Isolated from mangrove.” Songklanakarin J.Sci. Technol. Songklanakarin J.Sci. Technol. 25(5): 643-650., 25(5): 643-650.,

2003.2003.Kim Pyo, Jun; et al. “Enhancing hydrogen production by controlling light intensity in sulfur-deprived Chlamydomonas reinhardtii culture.” Kim Pyo, Jun; et al. “Enhancing hydrogen production by controlling light intensity in sulfur-deprived Chlamydomonas reinhardtii culture.” International Journal of International Journal of

Hydrogen Energy. Hydrogen Energy. Vol.31, Pgs. 1585-1590., September 2006.Vol.31, Pgs. 1585-1590., September 2006.Knothe, Gerhard. “Analyzing Biodiesel: Standards and Other Methods.” Knothe, Gerhard. “Analyzing Biodiesel: Standards and Other Methods.” JAOCS. JAOCS. Vol. 83, Pgs. 823-833., 2006.Vol. 83, Pgs. 823-833., 2006.Magrini-Bair, Kimberly; et al. “Fluidizable Catalysts for Producing Hydrogen by Steam Reforming Biomass Pyrolysis Liquids.” Magrini-Bair, Kimberly; et al. “Fluidizable Catalysts for Producing Hydrogen by Steam Reforming Biomass Pyrolysis Liquids.” Proceedings in the 2002 U.S. DOE Proceedings in the 2002 U.S. DOE

Hydrogen Program Review. Hydrogen Program Review. Golden, Colorado, 2002.Golden, Colorado, 2002.Melis, A; Happe, T. “Trails of Green Alga Hydrogen Research- From Hans Gaffron to New Frontiers.” Melis, A; Happe, T. “Trails of Green Alga Hydrogen Research- From Hans Gaffron to New Frontiers.” Photosynthesis Research. Photosynthesis Research. Vol. 80, Pgs. 401-409., 2004.Vol. 80, Pgs. 401-409., 2004.Molina Grima, E; Acien Fernandez, F.G.; Garcia Camacho, F; Camacho Rubio, F; Chisti, Y. “Scale-up of Tubular Photobioreactors.” Molina Grima, E; Acien Fernandez, F.G.; Garcia Camacho, F; Camacho Rubio, F; Chisti, Y. “Scale-up of Tubular Photobioreactors.” Journal of Applied Phycology. Journal of Applied Phycology. Vol. 12, Vol. 12,

Pgs. 355-368., 1999.Pgs. 355-368., 1999.Molina Grima, E; Fernandez, J; Acien Fernandez, F.G; Chisti, Y. “Tubular Molina Grima, E; Fernandez, J; Acien Fernandez, F.G; Chisti, Y. “Tubular photobioreactor design for algal cultures.” photobioreactor design for algal cultures.” Journal of Biotechnology. Journal of Biotechnology. Vol. 92, Pgs. 113-131., Vol. 92, Pgs. 113-131.,

2001.2001.Morris, R.E; Pollack, A.K; Mansel, G.E; Lindhjem, C; Jia, Y; and Wilson, G. “Impact of Biodiesel Fuels on Air Quality and Human Health.” Morris, R.E; Pollack, A.K; Mansel, G.E; Lindhjem, C; Jia, Y; and Wilson, G. “Impact of Biodiesel Fuels on Air Quality and Human Health.” National Renewable Energy National Renewable Energy

Laboratory. Laboratory. NREL/SR-540-33793, May 2003.NREL/SR-540-33793, May 2003.Pahl, Greg. “Biodiesel: Homegrown Oil.” Pahl, Greg. “Biodiesel: Homegrown Oil.” Mother Earth News. Mother Earth News. Pg. 65., February 1, 2006. Pg. 65., February 1, 2006. Patel-Predd, Prachi. “Hydrogen from Algae.” Patel-Predd, Prachi. “Hydrogen from Algae.” Technology Review. Technology Review. September 27, 2007.September 27, 2007.Preston Hubbard, Holly. “Hopes are high, as are the hurdles, for alternative fuel Ambitious target set for biofuels, which have yet to be economically viable.” Preston Hubbard, Holly. “Hopes are high, as are the hurdles, for alternative fuel Ambitious target set for biofuels, which have yet to be economically viable.”

International Herald Tribune. International Herald Tribune. March 15, 2008.March 15, 2008.““Renewed Interest in Turning Algae Into Fuel Generated.” Renewed Interest in Turning Algae Into Fuel Generated.” Science Daily. Science Daily. January 19, 2008.January 19, 2008.Sachs D, Jeffrey. “Act Now, Eat Later.” Sachs D, Jeffrey. “Act Now, Eat Later.” Time. Time. Pg. 44. May 5, 2008.Pg. 44. May 5, 2008.Schwartz I, Evan. “The Algae Alternative.” Schwartz I, Evan. “The Algae Alternative.” The Boston Globe. The Boston Globe. July 12, 2004.July 12, 2004.Seibert, Michael; et al. “Molecular Engineering of Algal H2 Production.” Seibert, Michael; et al. “Molecular Engineering of Algal H2 Production.” Proceedings of the 2002 U.S. DOE Hydrogen Program Review. Proceedings of the 2002 U.S. DOE Hydrogen Program Review. Colorado, 2002.Colorado, 2002.Spolaore, P; Joannis-Cassan, C; Duran, E; Isambert, A. “Commercial Applications of Microalgae.” Spolaore, P; Joannis-Cassan, C; Duran, E; Isambert, A. “Commercial Applications of Microalgae.” J Biosci Bioeng. J Biosci Bioeng. Vol. 101, Pgs. 87-96., 2006.Vol. 101, Pgs. 87-96., 2006.

Taken on: January 17, ,2009

Reservoir for Tubular Reservoir for Tubular Photo BioreactorPhoto Bioreactor

Taken on: January 17, ,2009

GLX Xplorer: Shown with GLX Xplorer: Shown with Carbon Dioxide SensorCarbon Dioxide Sensor

C.Reinhardtii Growth in C.Reinhardtii Growth in Raceway TubesRaceway Tubes

Taken on: February 4 ,2009

Taken on: January 30, ,2009

2100 Spectrophotometer: 2100 Spectrophotometer: Shown in Fume HoodShown in Fume Hood