(674f) Investigation of Chlorella Microalgae Cultivation On Anaerobically Digested Manure

Laboratory and pilot scale studies were carried out to investigate the cultivation of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris on anaerobically digested manure from a local farm. The effects of light, nutrient load and CO₂ to air ratios on cell growth and lipid accumulation were investigated. Both batch and continuous studies were carried out. Rates of CO₂ sequestration were also measured. The results showed that the photo-bioreactor configuration was appropriate to cultivate microalgae on a large on farm operation. Only a small fraction of CO₂ supplied was effectively taken up as microalgae biomass, indicating that using microalgae only for CO₂ uptake is not effective.