Date

4-2009

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

College

College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Rex B. Demafelis

Co-adviser

June Owen O. Nacorda

Committee Member

Maria Christina V. Mahilum, Catalino G. Alfafara

Abstract

Growth of Chlorella vulgaris in polyethylene photobioreactors under varying aeration rate, reactor diameter and light intensity was studied. It was done to determine the optimum diameter of photobioreactor that can be used in each of the aeration rates considered in the cultivation. The systems used in the cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris were: (a) cultures aerated with 0.896 vvm with varying diameter and light intensity and (b) cultures aerated with 0.242 vvm with varying diameter and light intensity. Precision PR7500 air pump / Vespa SF 201P Compressor and 40W Osram fluorescent lamps were used as aerators and light source, respectively. In cultures aerated with 0.896 vvm, the 4.75” diameter reactors lighted with 2 lamps got the fastest algal growth based on the average first and second specific growth rates equal to 0.05687 hr-1 , 0.01681 hr-1 , respectively. From those data, the average first and second doubling times were equal to 12.188 hr and 41.234 hr, respectively. The average stationary phase cell concentration for this culture condition was equal to 0.5740 g/L. Meanwhile for the cultures aerated with 0.242 vvm, still the 4.75” diameter reactor exhibited the fastest algal growth, but this time it was under the light intensity emitted by 3 lamps. The average first and second specific growth rates were equal to 0.05562 hr-1 and 0.01334 hr-1 , respectively. From those data, the average first and second doubling times were equal to 12.4622 hr and 51.9795 hr, respectively. The average stationary phase cell concentration for this culture condition was equal to 0.4403 g/L. Three-way ANOVA was conducted using Design Expert v.7.1.6 and it was found out that reactor diameter and light intensity were significant cultivation parameters with p-values equal to 0.0475 and 0.0353, respectively.. Aeration rate was found to be statistically insignificant among the cultivation parameters studied.

Language

English

Call Number

LG 993.5 2009 E62 C38

Document Type

Thesis

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