Michael Roberts

PhD Candidate

B.E.(Chem). Hons

Location: Room A303 Engineering North Annex
Email: mroberts@chemeng.adelaide.edu.au
Phone: + 61 8 8303 4645
FAX: + 61 8 8303 4373

Supervisors

Professor Keith King (University of Adelaide)
Dr David Lewis (University of Adelaide)
Dr. Dilip Desai (CSIRO)

Research Topic

Some aspects of a cyanobacteria photobioreactor

Research Abstract

Carbon dioxide is a harmful greenhouse gas that is damaging to the environment and a powerful contributor to global warming. Recently there has been great scientific interest in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. photobioreactors (PBR) are systems for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms such as microalgae and cyanobacteria (blue green algae). The cultivation of microalgae and cyanobacteria provide a handy CO2 sink and they can also produce valuable materials such as feeds for aquaculture or biodegradable plastics such as poly- -hydroxybutyrate (PHB).

The focus of this study is to optimise an airlift flat plate PBR, developed by CSIRO Manufacturing and Infrastructure Technology at Highett, Victoria, for the cultivation of cyanobacteria for the production of PHB and as a CO2 sink. This involves optimising the temperature, pH, and light requirement.

Interests

• Biotechnology and Bioengineering
• Reactor Design and Optimisation

Recent Publications

Desai, D. K., Roberts, M., King, K.D., Price D., (2003). "A Mathematical Model for an Internally Radiating Air-Lift Photobioreactor". Chemeca 2003, Adelaide, Australia.

M. D. Roberts, D. K. Desai, K. D. King, and D. Price, "Further Development of a Mathematical Model for an Internally Radiating Air-Lift Photobioreactor," in Chemeca 2004, 32nd Australasian Chemical Engineering Conference Proceedings, ISBN: 1-877040126, 2004, CD-ROM