Development of an automated membrane-integrated photobioreactor system for algal cultivation

Debellis, Jennifer Lynn

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/101726 Copy

Description

Title

Development of an automated membrane-integrated photobioreactor system for algal cultivation

Author(s)

Debellis, Jennifer Lynn

Issue Date

2018-07-18

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Guest, Jeremy S.

Department of Study

Civil & Environmental Eng

Discipline

Environ Engr in Civil Engr

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• microalgae
• wastewater treatment
• resource recovery
• membrane
• photobioreactor

Abstract

Increasing water usage and more stringent treatment standards have put heavy demands on existing wastewater infrastructure. In particular, phosphorus species have become a focus of nutrient removal targets. Intensive (i.e., small footprint) suspended growth microalgal systems have been proposed as an effective treatment option that makes improvements over traditional ponds (low intensity, large footprint) and attached growth configurations in nutrient uptake abilities. This project aims to address how design decisions in suspended growth systems affect system performance and nitrogen and phosphorus treatment by mimicking current industry configurations. A tubular photobioreactor with a light emitting diode (LED) setup that imitates natural night/day cycles was constructed with a host of monitoring equipment and controls to facilitate experimentation. The photobioreactor (PBR) design included three phases: (1) literature review and membrane selection, (2) preliminary design drawings and probe selection, and (3) final design drawings with material selection. To carry out design work, Autodesk Inventor was utilized to model 3D components and comprehensive design layouts to aid in part buying and manufacturing. The PBR setup was able to accomplish solids separation, pH monitoring and adjustment, real-time dissolved oxygen monitoring, and a sample port for testing algal culture composition and other media characteristics. By monitoring biomass and media composition while manipulating design decisions including hydraulic retention time, solids residence time, and recirculation rate, this experimental setup can inform future suspended growth microalgal treatment applications for nitrogen and phosphorus removal from wastewater.

Graduation Semester

2018-08

Type of Resource

text

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/101726

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2018 Jennifer Debellis

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