Effect of Bubble Size on the Growth of Synechococcus HS-9 Microalgae with Double Loop Fluid Oscillator

Abstract

The capacity of fossil fuel production is decreasing through the years. Energy diversification is needed to solve this problem. Microalgae is one type of microorganism that has the potential as an alternative fuel. Large scale microalgae cultivation utilizes photobioreactors with aeration of microbubbles. One method to produce smaller bubbles uses a fluid oscillator. This study aims to analyze if there is any effect of the bubble size difference on Synechococcus HS-9 growth. Bubble formation utilizes a double loop fluid oscillator and continuous flow. Bubble size data is taken using a high-speed camera at 6 lpm and 10 μm micro porous shafts and processed through image processing using imageJ application. Synechococcus HS-9 growth data is taken daily optical density by using spectrophotometer. The result showed double loop fluid oscillator produces smaller bubbles than the conventional bubble aeration, thus affects a higher growth of Synechoccus HS-9. Synechococcus HS-9 growth is higher in oscillating flow conditions than in continuous flow.