Engineering Commons^™

Reactor Design And Operation Variables To Improve Mixed Algal Biomass Productivity And Solids Separation: An Examination Of Operation Parameters, Density, And Settleability, Derek Jan Wichhart

Civil Engineering ETDs

Algae have been identified as a source of renewable, clean energy, with much research being devoted to identifying high energy yield algae, energy extraction methods, and reactor design with mono-cultures of algae, but little research has been done on reactor design and operational conditions with mixed cultures of algae to improve productivity and solids separation. The objective of this study was to determine if the settling characteristics of mixed algal cultures can be enriched or improved through manipulation of reactor design characteristics by incorporating cyclic settling or floating phases into operation, timing of light/dark cycles, and/or control of the solids …