MICROALGAE BIOMASS PRODUCTION IN WASTEWATERS AS

FEEDSTOCK FOR BIOREFINERY SYSTEMS

Oral Defence by PhD Candidate Lizzette Moreno García

Bioresource Engineering
May 21st, 2019 @ 09:15 — Macdonald Stewart Building, Room MS2-022

Abstract
Public interest in replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources of energy is growing significantly, and the
cultivation of microalgae in wastewaters is one of the most attractive avenues. The variability and
complexity of the composition of the liquid wastes bring in an enormous number of variables and
possible outcomes to the production system. This study was intended to give a better understanding on
the main factors affecting the growth and composition of microalgae biomass cultivated in wastewaters
and to assess the value of the biomass as feedstock for biofuel production. A mixture optimization
technique was used to design a cultivation media prepared from four different waste streams obtained
from a local waste management company. Also, a factorial design and a multivariate analysis (PCA) were
used to study the relations among the variables involved in the composition and production of
microalgae biomass grown in wastewaters. Microalgae biomass production in a blend of wastewaters
was carried out while achieving attractive levels of wastewater cleaning. This biomass was also proven to
be a valuable feedstock to produce biofuels.

About the Candidate

Lizzette completed her bachelor and master’s degrees in Biochemical Engineering,
in Mexico. After that, she spent 7 years working as a university lecturer of
engineering and statistics courses. In 2014 she moved to Montreal to start her PhD
under the co-supervision of Professors Vijaya Raghavan and Simon Barnabé. Her
research examines the main factors affecting the production and composition of
microalgae biomass cultivated in wastewaters.