Coupling Carbon Capture from a Power Plant with Semi-automated Open Raceway Ponds for Microalgae Cultivation.

In the United States, 35% of the total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions come from the electrical power industry, of which 30% represent natural gas electricity generation. Microalgae can biofix CO2 10 to 15 times faster than plants and convert algal biomass to products of interest, such as biofuels. Thus, this study presents a protocol that demonstrates the potential synergies of microalgae cultivation with a natural gas power plant situated in the southwestern United States in a hot semi-arid climate.

Multi-Wavelength Based Optical Density Sensor for Autonomous Monitoring of Microalgae.

A multi-wavelength based optical density sensor unit was designed, developed, and evaluated to monitor microalgae growth in real time. The system consisted of five main components including: (1) laser diode modules as light sources; (2) photodiodes as detectors; (3) driver circuit; (4) flow cell; and (5) sensor housing temperature controller. The sensor unit was designed to be integrated into any microalgae culture system for both real time and non-real time optical density measurements and algae growth monitoring applications.

Cultivation of Nannochloropsis salina in municipal wastewater or digester centrate.

Meaningful use of biofuels for transportation depends on utilization of water from non-traditional, non-potable resources. Here it is hypothesized that (i) reclaimed wastewater or nutrient-rich side streams derived from municipal wastewater treatment are suitable for that purpose and (ii) use of those waters for algal growth can promote water quality through nutrient management. Experiments showed that metals levels in municipal wastewaters are unlikely to inhibit algal growth and lipid production, at least by metals tolerant microalgae like Nannochloropsis salina.

Efficient extraction method to collect sugar from sweet sorghum.

Background: Sweet sorghum is a domesticated grass containing a sugar-rich juice that can be readily utilized for ethanol production. Most of the sugar is stored inside the cells of the stalk tissue and can be difficult to release, a necessary step before conventional fermentation. While this crop holds much promise as an arid land sugar source for biofuel production, a number of challenges must be overcome.

Statistical optimization of culture media for growth and lipid production of Chlorella protothecoides UTEX 250.

The concentration of NaNO(3), MgSO(4) · 7H(2)O and proteose, in Chlorella protothecoides medium were optimized for algal biomass and lipid production by using response surface methodology with Box-Behnken design. The optimal concentrations were 0.45 g/L of NaNO(3), 6 mg/L of MgSO(4) · 7H(2)O, and 0.

Removal efficiency and binding mechanisms of copper and copper-EDTA complexes using polyethyleneimine.

Copper is used extensively in semiconductor circuits as the multilayer metal. In addition to copper, waste streams often contain chelating agents like EDTA, which is widely used in the process to enhance solubility of copper, and it tends to form copper-chelated complexes. PEI--agarose adsorbents in a packed-bed column are capable of removing these anionic complexes, but the competitive binding between this chelating agent and PEI for copper is not well understood and needs to be explored.

Anaerobic biodegradability and methanogenic toxicity of key constituents in copper chemical mechanical planarization effluents of the semiconductor industry.

Copper chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) effluents can account for 30-40% of the water discharge in semiconductor manufacturing. CMP effluents contain high concentrations of soluble copper and a complex mixture of organic constituents. The aim of this study is to perform a preliminary assessment of the treatability of CMP effluents in anaerobic sulfidogenic bioreactors inoculated with anaerobic granular sludge by testing individual compounds expected in the CMP effluents.

Prediction of growth and biotransformation rates of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) in the presence of barium.

The biotransformation of explosives has been investigated by many researchers. Bioremediation of soil and water contaminated with hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) is becoming the method of choice for clean-up of a variety of sites. In this study, we investigated biotransformation of RDX in the presence of barium.

Biosorption of copper (II) from chemical mechanical planarization wastewaters.

Copper Chemical Mechanical Planarization (Cu-CMP) is a critical step in integrated circuit (IC) device manufacturing. CMP and post-CMP cleaning processes are projected to account for 30-40% of the water consumed by IC manufacturers in 2003. CMP wastewater is expected to contain increasing amounts of copper as the industry switches from Al-CMP to Cu-CMP causing some IC manufacturers to run the risk of violating discharge regulations.

Biological denitrification of hydrolysates from octahydro-1,3,5,7 tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine.

Alternatives for the destruction of common military explosives, including trinitrotoluene; hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine; and octahydro-1,3,5,7 tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) are being investigated in the post-cold war period. One alternative combines chemical treatment (i.e.

Analysis of bacteria contaminating ultrapure water in industrial systems.

Bacterial populations inhabiting ultrapure water (UPW) systems were investigated. The analyzed UPW systems included pilot scale, bench scale, and full size UPW plants employed in the semiconductor and other industries. Bacteria present in the polishing loop of the UPW systems were enumerated by both plate counts and epifluorescence microscopy.