A master thesis from Aalborg University
Investigating the Potential of Microalgae Strains Chlamydomonas sp. and Stichococcus Deasonii as a Sustainable Feedstock for Biofuel Production: Effects of Fishwater and Synthetic Saltwater Growth Medium and Biomass Separation
Author(s)
Term
4. semester
Publication year
2023
Submitted on
2023-06-01
Pages
106 pages
Abstract
This thesis investigates the potential of two microalgae strains, Chlamydomonas sp. and Stichococcus deasonii, isolated from samples collected at the Esbjerg harbour in Denmark, as a sustainable feedstock for biofuel production. The study analyses the effects of two different growth medium - fishwater and synthetic saltwater supplemented with plant fertilizer - on the growth and lipid production of these microalgae. The flocculation properties of the microalgae, a critical aspect of biomass separation in microalgae-based biofuel production, are also evaluated. Laboratory-scale experiments are conducted using 500 mL blue cap flasks continuously aerated with atmospheric air and artificial light from fluorescent lamps. Microalgal growth is assessed using optical density at 600 nm and a hemacytometer, while lipid extraction is carried out with sonication and organic solvents (methanol and chloroform) and analysed using FAME and GC-MS. Microalgae growth was superior in artificial saltwater medium, averaging 16,678 cells/mL/h, compared to 4,250 cells/mL/h in fishwater. Across all cultures, the dry matter averaged 4% and the lipid content approximately 8%. Dominant fatty acids were identified as C18-3, C18-2, C16, and C18. The results of this study have implications for industrial-scale production at a local aquaculture company called Alpha-Aqua, where a circular economy model will be employed to convert fishwater that would otherwise go to waste, into biofuel and/or high-value bioproducts including fishfeed. By assesing the growth and lipid production of microalgae strains in different growth medium, and by addressing the challenge of biomass separation through the study of flocculation properties, the thesis aims to contribute to the development of a sustainable and economically viable microalgae-based biofuel industry.
Keywords
Documents
Colophon: This page is part of the AAU Student Projects portal, which is run by Aalborg University. Here, you can find and download publicly available bachelor's theses and master's projects from across the university dating from 2008 onwards. Student projects from before 2008 are available in printed form at Aalborg University Library.
If you have any questions about AAU Student Projects or the research registration, dissemination and analysis at Aalborg University, please feel free to contact the VBN team. You can also find more information in the AAU Student Projects FAQs.