Date of Award
1-1-2013
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Organizational Unit
Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science
First Advisor
Corinne Lengsfeld, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Yun-Bo Yi
Third Advisor
Matthew Gordon
Fourth Advisor
Don McCubbrey
Fifth Advisor
Robert Dores
Keywords
Biofuels, Carbon emissions, Microalgae, Optimization, Sustainability, Systems analysis
Abstract
Techno-economic and systems studies on microalgal growth scenarios to date are abbreviated and missing a number of important variables. By including these variables in a detailed model integrating biology, chemistry, engineering, and financial aspects, a more defined systems analysis is possible. Through optimizing the model productivity based on the resulting net profit, the system analysis results in a more accurate assessment of environmental and economic sustainability of specific algal growth scenarios. Photobioreactor algal growth scenario optimization in the system model has resulted in realistic engineering design requirements based on algal growth requirements and fluid dynamics analysis. Results show feasibility for photobioreactor growth scenarios to be economically sustainable when co-products are included, but definite technological advancements and productivity improvements must be made. The main factors inhibiting a cost effective photobioreactor growth scenario are culture density, temperature, and lighting distribution for solar illuminated photobioreactors, and lighting cost for artificially illuminated photobioreactors. Open pond algal growth scenarios do not show any prospect of economic or environmental sustainability with current technology due to the large amount of surface area required, inefficient water use, and low culture density. All algal growth scenarios are inferior to petro-diesel regarding energy inputs, carbon emissions, and environmental sustainability. No algal growth scenarios analyzed in this study meet the U.S. requirement of biofuel emitting at least 20% less carbon emissions than diesel from crude oil.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Rights Holder
Leah Raffaeli
Provenance
Received from ProQuest
File Format
application/pdf
Language
en
File Size
325 p.
Recommended Citation
Raffaeli, Leah R., "Techno-Economic and Fluid Dynamics Analysis for Growing Microalgae with the Intent of Producing Biofuel Using a System Model" (2013). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 534.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/534
Copyright date
2013
Discipline
Alternative energy, System science, Physics