By Michael Fuad

1. Harvesting microalgae (Chlamydomonasreinhardtii) for biofuel production using wastewater treatment techniques By Michael Fuad

2. Potential of Algae http://geography.about.com/library/blank/blxusa.htm

3. Potential of Algae http://geography.about.com/library/blank/blxusa.htm

4. Potential of Algae

5. Complete Process Producing Biofuel

6. Complete Process Producing Biofuel

7. Complete Process Producing Biofuel

8. Complete Process Producing Biofuel

9. Complete Process Producing Biofuel

10. Complete Process Producing Biofuel Esterification produces biofuels

11. What is the problem? • Algae cost $20.00/gallon of biofuel • Furthermore, a significant part of that production cost is associated with harvesting microalgae

12. Background • 10 µm 10 µm http://algae.tcoalternativefuels.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/chlorellasp_microscope.jpg

13. Background http://www.steve.gb.com/images/science/centrifugation.png

14. Background Alternative Harvesting Methods: • Ultrasonic separation—Bosma et al. (2003)

15. Background Alternative Harvesting Methods: • Ultrasonic separation • Froth flotation—Csordas et al. (2004)

16. Background Alternative Harvesting Methods: • Ultrasonic separation • Froth flotation • Flocculation

17. Background http://globalpolyglu.com/treatment1-2.html

18. Background http://globalpolyglu.com/treatment1-2.html

19. Background http://globalpolyglu.com/treatment1-2.html

20. Background • Water and Wastewater Technology by Hammer and Hammer (1996) explained flocculation

21. Background • A Lee et al. (2007)—algae are negatively charged microparticles

22. Hypothesis • I hypothesized that chemicals used in wastewater treatments could be used to flocculate microalgae

23. Background • Knuckey et al. (2006)—identified factors that affect flocculation, i.e. pH and dosage

24. Goals • Determine if flocculation is an effective alternative to centrifugation for harvestingC. reinhardtii from suspension; and • Identify factors that optimize flocculation of C. reinhardtii in order to achieve harvesting efficiency that is similar to or better than centrifugation in preparation for biofuel production.

25. Procedure • Measure effectiveness of harvesting by flocculation using spectrophotometer, measuring optical density (absorbance)

26. Materials: Ionic Compounds • Aluminum sulfate—Al2(SO4)3 • Ferric chloride—FeCl3 • Calcium carbonate—CaCO3 • Ammonium sulfate—(NH4)2SO4

27. Materials: Polyacrylamides

28. Results

29. Results

30. Results

31. Results

32. Results: pH 3.00

33. Results: pH 3.00

34. Results: pH 3.00

35. Conclusions • Flocculation effectively harvests microalgae • The optimum flocculation technique is to use ClariflocPolyacrylamide C-6288 at a pH of 3.00 and a dosage of 0.025 gflocculant/g dry algae • Since flocculation is more efficient than centrifugation, flocculation is a less expensive method of harvesting microalgae

36. Limitations • My research limited to a single species of algae • Flocculation factors might vary for different algae species • Effect of chemicals on environment is experimentally unknown. However, theoretically, flocculation is safe for environment

37. Future Work • Engineer a continuous flocculation system • Apply the flocculation techniques to other microalgae species with potential http://brator.sinto.co.jp/global/picture/dspirast.jpg

38. Acknowledgements • Dr. Roger Ruan • Science Research Team • Mrs. Fruen • Mr. Hall http://www.bioeconomyconference.org/07%20Images/ruan.jpg

39. Harvesting microalgae (Chlamydomonasreinhardtii) for biofuel production using wastewater treatment techniques By Michael Fuad