2026-09-18T22:54:09Zhttps://dspace.mit.edu/server/oai/requestoai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/1593612025-07-09T03:14:00Zcom_1721.1_7582com_1721.1_7581col_1721.1_131023
Varanasi, Kripa K.
Callan, Tess A.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
2025-06-09T16:24:04Z
2025-06-09T16:24:04Z
2024-05
2024-06-13T16:46:09.656Z
https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/159361
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6715-4563
Microalgae have a wide variety of applications aiding in sustainability, yet during the cultivation process, photobioreactor biofouling remains an issue. It blocks light from entering the reactor and necessitates reactor cleaning, ultimately reducing overall reactor productivity and increasing cultivation costs. Here we investigate a new type of reactor that removes the possibility of biofouling by growing the algae in aqueous droplets surrounded by oil that preferentially wets the reactor surface. We first look into growing the algae in droplets and discuss major parameters that will be impacted. Then, we show a droplet-based reactor that demonstrates the potential to scale the system with similar growth rates to industry. Finally, we investigate the impact on major costs to confirm the economic viability of transitioning to this reactor. Overall savings in the cultivation process, mainly from power reduction and biofouling prevention, are shown.
S.M.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
Copyright retained by author(s)
https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-EDU/1.0/
Droplet Based Microalgae Photobioreactor for Biofouling Prevention
Thesis
application/pdf
Master
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Publication
unknown
unknown
<Publication xmlns="https://www.openaire.eu/cerif-profile/1.1/" id="e58b76a8-0e93-4ad3-82a7-97a3c2b1e60c">
<Type xmlns="https://www.openaire.eu/cerif-profile/vocab/COAR_Publication_Types">http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_1843</Type>
<Title>Droplet Based Microalgae Photobioreactor for Biofouling Prevention</Title>
<PublishedIn>
<Publication>
</Publication>
</PublishedIn>
<PublicationDate>2024-05</PublicationDate>
<Authors>
<Author>
<DisplayName>Callan, Tess A.</DisplayName>
<Affiliation>
<OrgUnit>
</OrgUnit>
</Affiliation>
</Author>
</Authors>
<Editors>
</Editors>
<Publishers>
<Publisher>
<DisplayName>Massachusetts Institute of Technology</DisplayName>
<OrgUnit />
</Publisher>
</Publishers>
<License>https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-EDU/1.0/</License>
<Abstract>Microalgae have a wide variety of applications aiding in sustainability, yet during the cultivation process, photobioreactor biofouling remains an issue. It blocks light from entering the reactor and necessitates reactor cleaning, ultimately reducing overall reactor productivity and increasing cultivation costs. Here we investigate a new type of reactor that removes the possibility of biofouling by growing the algae in aqueous droplets surrounded by oil that preferentially wets the reactor surface. We first look into growing the algae in droplets and discuss major parameters that will be impacted. Then, we show a droplet-based reactor that demonstrates the potential to scale the system with similar growth rates to industry. Finally, we investigate the impact on major costs to confirm the economic viability of transitioning to this reactor. Overall savings in the cultivation process, mainly from power reduction and biofouling prevention, are shown.</Abstract>
<Access xmlns="http://purl.org/coar/access_right"
>
</Access>
</Publication>