Sunday, May 4, 2008
4-51

Growth and oil production studies of Botryococcus sudeticus (UTEX 2629) on secondarily treated wastewater

Bill B. Elmore and Matthew Young. Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, 323 President's Circle, Dave C. Swalm Chemical Engineering Building, Mississippi State, MS 39762

Extensive studies of microalgae have demonstrated significant potential for developing processes that provide a means of bio-oil production with an accompanying benefit of carbon sequestration through carbon dioxide utilization as a primary feedstock.  Production costs (particularly for defined medium constituents) can adversely affect economics for such processes.  One means of reducing such costs is through the use of nutrients in municipal wastewater as the primary source for growth medium.  Here, we report on preliminary work with the microalgae Botryococcus sudeticus (UTEX 2629) growing on secondarily treated wastewater.  Cell growth and bio-oil production results will be presented with initial studies in a flat-plate bioreactor scheme.