(752b) Production of Food, Energy, and Fuel from Microalgae in Holograhic Diffractive Optic-Solar Glass Reactors | AIChE

(752b) Production of Food, Energy, and Fuel from Microalgae in Holograhic Diffractive Optic-Solar Glass Reactors

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This project is focused on developing technology platforms for the solar-assisted production of food, fuel, and clean water from municipal wastewater sources. This novel food, energy water (FEW) platform employs new light management strategies to simultaneously: (1) generate electrical energy; and (2) optimize algae growth for food and fuel. This is accomplished by use of a holographic diffractive optic-solar glass (HDO-SG) reactor. The glass transmits the visible light spectrum that is used for photosynthesis and internal reflects the IR and UV light that is directed toward photovoltaic (PV) cells that are integrated into the reactor. The PV- generated energy can be used to operate the photobioreactor. Preliminary results show that Chlorella sp and Scendesmus sp. algae grow well in reactors containing HDO-SG. Water loss is minimized compared to open systems which is key when growing in arid climates. Growth of Chlorella sp on secondary and tertiary wastewater has been demonstrated, as well as growth using of flue gas as a carbon source. No observed changes in lipid productivity were found compared to control cultures grown in laboratory media.