1. AbstractBackground The use of bioreactors to combat the growing problem of greenhouse gases has been extensively studied in recent decades. The use of bioreactors to combat the growing problem of greenhouse gases has been extensively studied in recent decades. (Chisti, 2007) http://www.ieagreen.org.uk/newsletter/dec80/images/biofixation.JPG http://photos.mongabay.com/08/0423methaneglobal.jpg Knowledge Base Raceway Pond Design A raceway pond is made of a closed loop re- circulation channel (Chisti, 2007) Tubular Photo Bioreactor Design Consists of straight transparent tubes either made out of glass or plastic (also known as solar collectors) Consists of straight transparent tubes either made out of glass or plastic (also known as solar collectors) (Chisti, 2007) http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/content/SUST/BIOFUEL/110407_Biod ieselfrommicroalgae.pdf Original Design Control: Airlift Design A self-contained bioreactor A self-contained bioreactor Taken on: December 21, 2008 Organism: S.limacinum Contains pigments for photosynthesis Contains pigments for photosynthesis Known to contain EPA, DHA, and omega-3 fatty acids Known to contain EPA, DHA, and omega-3 fatty acids Reliable source of oil production for biodiesels Reliable source of oil production for biodiesels (Kamlangdee, 2003) http://roweb.cityu.edu.hk/researchreport/2002-2003/Project/020.jpg Organism: C.reinhardtii Contains an enzyme called hydrogenase that allows creation of hydrogen Contains an enzyme called hydrogenase that allows creation of hydrogen (Tiede, 2008) Ability to produce hydrogen under anoxic conditions Ability to produce hydrogen under anoxic conditions (Fouchard, 2005) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlamydomonas_reinhardtii Magnified 3000X Literature Review Kim Pyo, Jun; et al (2006): Kim Pyo, Jun; et al (2006): Experiment to enhance hydrogen production of C.reinhardtii by controlling light intensity Experiment to enhance hydrogen production of C.reinhardtii by controlling light intensity Maximum hydrogen production was obtained at a light intensity of 200 lumens Maximum hydrogen production was obtained at a light intensity of 200 lumens (Chisti,Y 2007): (Chisti,Y 2007): Discussed the efficiency of the Raceway pond compared to the Tubular Photo bioreactor in growing biomass Discussed the efficiency of the Raceway pond compared to the Tubular Photo bioreactor in growing biomass Found that the Tubular Photo bioreactor was more efficient due to lower contamination risk Found that the Tubular Photo bioreactor was more efficient due to lower contamination riskPurpose To create a bioreactor design that would enhance growth rate and energy yield in Schizochytrium limacinum and C.reinhardtii Hypothesis Modified Design Taken: January 17, 2009 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/content/SUST/BIOFUEL/110407_Biodieselfrom microalgae.pdf Original Design Taken: January 17, 2009 Modified Design Null Hypothesis H(o): No significant difference will be found in the growth of C.reinhardtii and S.limacinum in either bioreactor. Alternate Hypothesis H(a1): The airlift bioreactor will have the most overall growth of biomass Alternate Hypothesis H(a2): The growth of C.reinhardtii and S.limacinum will be greatest in the Tubular Photobioreactor when exposed to carbon dioxide.

2. Discussion The Tubular Photobioreactor and Raceway Pond are suitable environments for growth of algae The Tubular Photobioreactor and Raceway Pond are suitable environments for growth of algae Performance of Tubular and Raceway surpassed the control bioreactor Performance of Tubular and Raceway surpassed the control bioreactor Growth in Tubular Bioreactor was greater than growth in the Raceway Pond for Trial 1 testing with 25% Medium Growth in Tubular Bioreactor was greater than growth in the Raceway Pond for Trial 1 testing with 25% Medium Daily exposure to carbon dioxide did not greatly effect pH levels in bioreactors for both trials Daily exposure to carbon dioxide did not greatly effect pH levels in bioreactors for both trials Trial 2: the Raceway Pond illustrated more growth, due to weaker pump, allowing slower flow of C.reinhardtii with 10% Medium Trial 2: the Raceway Pond illustrated more growth, due to weaker pump, allowing slower flow of C.reinhardtii with 10% Medium When testing for absorbance with Spectrophotometer, especially for the Airlift, the C.reinhardtii tend to settle at the bottom of the chamber which prevented proper suspension When testing for absorbance with Spectrophotometer, especially for the Airlift, the C.reinhardtii tend to settle at the bottom of the chamber which prevented proper suspension Conclusion Data supports the Alternate Hypothesis Data supports the Alternate Hypothesis There was no significance regarding the Carbon Dioxide levels when pumped through the Tubular, Raceway Pond and Airlift Bioreactors for Trial 1 There was no significance regarding the Carbon Dioxide levels when pumped through the Tubular, Raceway Pond and Airlift Bioreactors for Trial 1 Between 1/29-2/5, a significance was found when comparing transmittance levels and CO 2 levels before exposure (p=.015) for Trial 2 Between 1/29-2/5, a significance was found when comparing transmittance levels and CO 2 levels before exposure (p=.015) for Trial 2 A weaker pump demonstrated to cause a larger growth within the algae, due to the restrained air and algae flow A weaker pump demonstrated to cause a larger growth within the algae, due to the restrained air and algae flow Limitations Errors while using the Spectrophotometer occurred, causing incongruous data: Possibly caused by cuvette or contamination Errors while using the Spectrophotometer occurred, causing incongruous data: Possibly caused by cuvette or contamination Varying GLX Xplorer readings for carbon dioxide Varying GLX Xplorer readings for carbon dioxide Possible bacterial contamination in bioreactors Possible bacterial contamination in bioreactors Future Studies Revision of Tubular Photobioreactor and Raceway Pond designs Revision of Tubular Photobioreactor and Raceway Pond designs Testing various tube diameters Testing various tube diameters Using grown C.reinhardtii and S.limacinum from bioreactors to extract hydrogen and oils, respectively, to test energy content Using grown C.reinhardtii and S.limacinum from bioreactors to extract hydrogen and oils, respectively, to test energy content Select Bibliography “Algae Could One Day Be Major Hydrogen Fuel Source.” Science Daily. 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Taken on: January 17,,2009 Reservoir for Tubular Photo Bioreactor Taken on: January 17,,2009 GLX Xplorer: Shown with Carbon Dioxide Sensor C.Reinhardtii Growth in Raceway Tubes Taken on: February 4,2009 Taken on: January 30,,2009 2100 Spectrophotometer: Shown in Fume Hood