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Publication Type honors thesis
School or College College of Mines & Earth Sciences
Department Materials Science & Engineering
Thesis Supervisor Joseph D. Andrade
Honors Advisor/Mentor A. Lamont Tyler
Creator Foote, Kelly Douglas
Title Highly gas permeable polymer membranes applied to algae aquaculture
Date 1991-12
Year graduated 1991
Description This study investigates the theoretical feasibility of culturing microscopic algae in a completely enclosed, aqueous environment for extended periods of time. The principle question addressed here is whether a membrane exists that will allow sufficient gas exchange to support the photosynthetic CO2 requirements of the enclosed algae, while preventing water loss from the culture solution to the atmosphere. An aquaculture unit design and four membrane material candidates are proposed that should allow for successful enclosed algae aquaculture. Membrane oxygenators and bioreactors are discussed as related applications of gas permeable membranes. An introduction to algae aquaculture is given that includes explanations of the CO2 requirements of algae, the complex CO2-seawater equilibrium, oxygen toxicity and sterilization. The thermodynamics and kinetics of CO2 transport across gas/liquid interfaces and membranes are presented, and useful equations are developed which allow easy prediction of the success or failure of a proposed membrane enclosed aquaculture system.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Membranes (Biology); Polymers - Permeability; Algae culture
Language eng
Rights Management (c) Kelly Douglas Foote
Format Medium application/pdf
ARK ark:/87278/s6zk9h14
Setname ir_htca
ID 1311304
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6zk9h14

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Title Page 11
Setname ir_htca
ID 1311315
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6zk9h14/1311315