Martin London

Date of Award

Spring 2021

Document Type

Thesis - SCU Access Only

Publisher

Santa Clara : Santa Clara University, 2021.

Department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Advisor

Maryam Mobed-Miremadi

Second Advisor

Maryam Khanbaghi

Abstract

Self-sufficient aquaponic system viability is limited by inadequate power-balance associated with synergetic biofuel production and wastewater remediation. This project highlights control, net carbon-neutral flue-gas utilization; and minimized aquaponic power-use associated with growth of microalgae biofilm on novel materials with a unique airlift mixotrophic mechanism. Ultimately this project furthers the needs and goals of power, food, and water security in the developing world, while protecting and advancing global environmental interests through quantifiable system milestones that breakdown into system integration proposals utilizing novel mixotrophic mechanisms, experimental design, and associated control system synthesis. We will also include optimization procedures, automating system maintenance, decoupling supplemental CO2 injections and mixotrophic CO2 inputs, and power balance extrapolations. The quantifier of success of these metrics is their facilitation towards net-power positive and net-zero carbon emission systems, apropos viable sustainable smallholder aquaponics. The systems that will need to be implemented include algae monitoring and eventually direct extrapolations from this parameter to mass, via image analysis and select dataset correlations, as well as modeling CO2 control via pH control, as well as potential temperature, humidity, and light regulation. We would use these in conjunction with an Arduino. We will design a proportional integral controller to control CO2. The conclusion of this project will extrapolate findings to biofilm growth rates suggesting improved power balance ratios and viable smallholder implementation of such sustainable systems where previously untenable. iii

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