A dynamic engineering model of algal cultivation systems

Proper assessment of the sustainability of algal products is constrained by the onerous process of pilot-scale experimental study. This study developed a bulk growth model that utilizes strain characterization, geospatial data, and cultivation platform geometry to predict productivity across different outdoor systems. The model interprets a minimum of measureable algal strain characteristics along with characteristics of the growth architecture to calculate a time-resolved algal concentration. Validation of the model illustrates an average accuracy of 7.33%+/5.65% for photobioreactors (PBR) and 6.7%+/5.33% for an open raceway pond (ORP) across five total species: Chlorella vulgaris, Desmodesmus intermedius, Galdieria sulphuraria, Galdieria sulphuraria Soos, and Nannochloropsis oceanica. The validated model assesses productivity at several locations in the United States with Chlorella vulgaris, grown in open raceway ponds and Galdieria sulphuraria grown in vertical flat panel photobioreactors. The model investigates seasonal variability through geospatially and temporally resolved extrapolation.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Colorado State University. Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Authors dc:creator

• Compton, Samuel Lighthall, author
• Quinn, Jason C., advisor
• Marchese, Anthony, committee member
• Peers, Graham, committee member

• biofuel
• dynamic
• algae
• model
• biomass

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.

Language dc:language.iso

eng, English

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25675/3.018476

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mountainscholar.org:10217/185686