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Efficient Flocculation of Microalgae for Biomass Production Using Cationic Starch

Hansel, Philip A.

Abstract Details

2011, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Chemical Engineering (Engineering and Technology).
In order to make algal biomass a suitable feedstock for fuel and bioproducts, a practical means of dewatering and concentrating the algal cells must be devised. An effective algal dewatering scheme will most likely utilize flocculation as an initial concentrating step. Cationic starch could prove to be an effective flocculant for economical production of uncontaminated microalgal biomass. This investigation seeks to ascertain whether or not cationic starch is an effective flocculant for the freshwater green alga Scenedesmus dimorphus. Evidence from extensive flocculation tests showed cationic starch to be effective at low dosages, around 10 mg/l, for both the high-growth-rate and low-growth-rate phase S. dimorphus. Algal cell restabilization occurred much sooner in the high-growth-rate phase, as opposed to the low-growth-rate as concentrations of cationic starch were increased. The tests also indicated that the degree of cationic substitution was found to be insignificant in flocculation efficiency.
R. Guy Riefler, PhD (Committee Chair)
Morgan L. Vis, PhD (Committee Member)
Ben S. Stuart, PhD (Committee Member)
Michael E. Prudich, PhD (Committee Member)
165 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hansel, P. A. (2011). Efficient Flocculation of Microalgae for Biomass Production Using Cationic Starch [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1313779752

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hansel, Philip. Efficient Flocculation of Microalgae for Biomass Production Using Cationic Starch. 2011. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1313779752.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hansel, Philip. "Efficient Flocculation of Microalgae for Biomass Production Using Cationic Starch." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1313779752

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)