Date of Award
8-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Environmental Engineering and Earth Science
Committee Chair/Advisor
Caye Drapcho
Committee Member
Arnold Eversole
Committee Member
Tom Owino
Abstract
Capture of atmospheric carbon by freshwater algae is being proposed in Clemson University’s outdoor algal carbon capture system, formerly described as the Partitioned Aquaculture System (Drapcho and Brune, 2000). Several algal species have been present in the system, depending on cultivation conditions. However, mechanical harvesting of the algae has proven difficult because of the cost of chemical flocculants, the energy cost of filtration due to small particle size of algae, and the relatively dilute algal cell concentrations in the system. Prior research on algal filtration by freshwater mussels has indicated its potential for use as a biological filter. This research aims to determine the capability for biological harvesting of suspended-growth microalgae using the native freshwater mussel Elliptio complanata for carbon capture applications. The specific objectives are to determine filtration rates of algal biomass by E. complanata and to develop a carbon mass balance for a mussel-based harvest system for carbon capture applications. Filtration rates of algae by E. complanata did not vary with respect to algal cell concentration, and no differences in filtration were observed between the two alga genera studied. First order models of uptake rate were determined to fit the data best; the uptake rate constant was 0.57 hr-1 and 0.86 hr-1 for E. complanata fed Scenedesmus and Chlorella at 25 mg L-1 algal biomass concentration, respectively.
Recommended Citation
Grimes, Jack, "Examining Biological Algal Harvest for Use in Clemson University’s Algal Carbon Capture System Using Freshwater Mussel Elliptio complanata" (2023). All Theses. 4134.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/4134