Intensified Off-Shore Production of Biomass (Macro-Algae) for Bio-Energy: Mixing and Nutrients Transport Studies
Hadar Traugott, PhD, Graduated BMI Fellow
Academic Advisors: Prof. Alexander Liberzon, School of Mechanical Engineering and Dr. Alexander Golberg, Porter School of Environmental and Earth Science
Cultivation of marine macro-algae is a potentially sustainable resource for fuel, food, and chemicals. This study focuses on the effect of turbulent hydrodynamic conditions on the metabolism of Ulva species macro-algae, which is known for its high potential yields, protein, and carbohydrate content. Previous research has shown that the hydrodynamic conditions are a fundamental factor influencing macro-algae growth rate and chemical composition.
During the last year, Hadar performed cultivation experiments in two experimental systems, one for measurement of the hydrostatic pressure effects, and the other for the turbulent hydrodynamic effects on biomass and chemical composition of macroalgae. In addition, she was involved in writing and submitting three manuscripts, which summarize the experimental results and conclusions carried out in the past years. All these manuscripts were published. Furthermore, she was involved in writing book chapters on macroalgae biorefinery, (1) feedstock, (2) downstream processing, and (3) application.