A study of key growth parameters for algal biodiesel production

Student: Pritam.S.Rajkule Supervisor: Dr.S.J.Wilkinson

Content
Introduction Experiments performed Characterization of reactors Effect of mass transfer on growth of dunaliella salina Effect of light duration on growth of dunaliella salina Effect of poultry manure medium on the growth of algae Discussion Conclusion

Introduction
CO2 is causing a major problem know as global warming with is in turn meting the polar ice caps and leading to rise in sea water levels. The fossil fuels reserves are on the verge of ending and peak oil theory already seems to be in action. There is an immense need to find a sustainable source of fuel and a method to capture the CO2 . Algae solves both our problems but methods to maximize growth need to be studied. In this project We have studied the key growth parameters for large scale algal biodiesel production.

Experiments performed
We performed 4 main experiments they are as follows: Characterization of reactors Effect of mass transfer rate on growth of Dunaliella Effect of light duration on growth of dunaliella Effect of poultry manure medium on growth of algae.

Characterization of reactors
I did characterization of 5 l and 12 l air loop reactor. The relation between air flow rate, mixing time and mass transfer rate was studied. The air flow rate was found to be directly proportional to the mass transfer rate. The air flow rate is indirectly proportional to the mixing time.

Effect of mass transfer on growth of Dunaliella salina

We used two mass transfer rates(KLa) for studying and they are 0.001S-1 and 0.002S-1 .
Exp no. Exp 1 Exp 2 KLa 0.001 0.002 Air flow rate(l/min) 0.25 1.0 Dunaliella Growth(OD) 0.205 0.082

0.25
0.2 OD at 690 nm 0.15 0.1 0.05 0 -0.05 0

Comparison of Dunaliella growth under two different mass transfer rates.

OD of Dunaleilla in air loop reactor at .25l/min OD of Dunaleilla in air loop reactor at 1l/min

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

time (hrs)

Effect of light duration on growth of Dunaliella salina

We studied the effect of 24 hrs light, 16hrs light and 30 min flashes of light on growth of Dunaliella salina. We also found the growth rate()and it was found to be 0.015 h-1, 0.019 h-1, 0.017 h-1 respectively.
Exp no. Exp 1 Exp 2 Exp 3

Duration
Dunaliella growth (OD)
1.2 1 Od at 690 nm 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 -0.2 0 50

30min flashes
0.897

16hr light 8 hrs dark

1.139

24hr light
0.348

Comparison of Dunaliella growth under 3 different light durations.

100

150 time (hrs)

200

250

300

Effect of poultry manure medium on growth of algae

We tested Dunaliella salina and Nannochloropsis for their ability to grow on poultry manure medium.
Exp no. Exp 1 Volume of batch 20 ml Dunaliella Growth(OD) 1.82 Nannochloropsis Growth(OD) 1.21

Exp 2
2 1.5 OD at 690 nm

600ml

-0.233

-0.291

Growth of algae in poultry manure medium

1
0.5 0 0 -0.5 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

time(hrs)

Discussion
Dunaliella salina grew well under low mass transfer rate as the movement was slow in reactor. We could infer that Dunaliella likes to grow in stagnant mediums. At higher volumes of poultry manure medium the light intensity entering the flask reduced and thus lead to death of algae. Dunaliella preferred 16 hrs light, then 30 min flashes of light and finally 24 hrs light.

Conclusion and future work

Algae grow best in 16 hrs light and 8 hrs dark. Dunaliella prefers to stay stagnant during growth. If poultry manure is used for large scale production there should be adequate light source. In future these data will be useful for building sustainable process for algal biodiesel production. These studies were carried out with normal bubbles and in future micro bubbles effect can be studied on algal growth.

Thank you..!!!
I am really thankful all you for your guidance and support thought the year..!!