Georgi Petkov | Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (original) (raw)

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Papers by Georgi Petkov

Research paper thumbnail of Establishment of Growth Conditions for Cultivation of The Microalga Trachydiscus minutus at Laboratory Scale

The alga Trachydiscus minutus, while being a relatively new subject of laboratory research, is no... more The alga Trachydiscus minutus, while being a relatively new subject of laboratory research, is not yet involved in a real biotechnological development. The aim of this study was an elaboration of the intensive growth conditions. A new medium specifically designed for the cultivation of the alga was composed, and the reasons were discussed. The use of the new medium leads to at least 10% higher growth than media previously used. The maximal growth rate of the alga remains the same, but the growth is comparatively higher before achieving plateau-phase, which is due to a better composition. The new medium is significantly cheaper per 1 kg algal biomass. Attention was paid to precise light and temperature conditions. The separation of Trachydiscus biomass is discussed as an important part of its biotechnology. The biochemical composition of the alga at these conditions is described. The paper is targeted to micro-enterprises in accordance with their limited resources.

Research paper thumbnail of The alga Trachydiscus minutus aids purification of biogas to methane

The alga Trachydiscus minutus was cultivated in a medium enriched with NaHCO3 and periodically bu... more The alga Trachydiscus minutus was cultivated in a medium enriched with NaHCO3
and periodically bubbled with bottled CO2
for 10 min once per every two days. It was found
that the alga was able to accumulate biomass under such conditions. An intrinsic ability of T.
minutus is its easy precipitation, which implies that this alga could be used as a potential purifier
of methane from biogas proposed in a model in which the alga was grown in a photobioreactor
with mechanic stirring. Part of the algal suspension was periodically separated from the
photobioreactor. The biomass was then precipitated and could be either returned back to the
photobioreactor or separated as yield if the algal density was too high. The remaining cultural
solution was placed under vacuum so that the dissolved oxygen could be removed. After that the
solution was enriched with CO2
from biogas. It was then returned to the photobioreactor because
the content of NaHCO3
was once again restored. Thus, methane can exit the absorption column
purified due to its low solubility. The major outcome of the proposed procedure is the production
of methane-rich and oxygen-free biogas which can be pressured and transported.

Research paper thumbnail of Establishment of Growth Conditions for Cultivation of The Microalga Trachydiscus minutus at Laboratory Scale

The alga Trachydiscus minutus, while being a relatively new subject of laboratory research, is no... more The alga Trachydiscus minutus, while being a relatively new subject of laboratory research, is not yet involved in a real biotechnological development. The aim of this study was an elaboration of the intensive growth conditions. A new medium specifically designed for the cultivation of the alga was composed, and the reasons were discussed. The use of the new medium leads to at least 10% higher growth than media previously used. The maximal growth rate of the alga remains the same, but the growth is comparatively higher before achieving plateau-phase, which is due to a better composition. The new medium is significantly cheaper per 1 kg algal biomass. Attention was paid to precise light and temperature conditions. The separation of Trachydiscus biomass is discussed as an important part of its biotechnology. The biochemical composition of the alga at these conditions is described. The paper is targeted to micro-enterprises in accordance with their limited resources.

Research paper thumbnail of The alga Trachydiscus minutus aids purification of biogas to methane

The alga Trachydiscus minutus was cultivated in a medium enriched with NaHCO3 and periodically bu... more The alga Trachydiscus minutus was cultivated in a medium enriched with NaHCO3
and periodically bubbled with bottled CO2
for 10 min once per every two days. It was found
that the alga was able to accumulate biomass under such conditions. An intrinsic ability of T.
minutus is its easy precipitation, which implies that this alga could be used as a potential purifier
of methane from biogas proposed in a model in which the alga was grown in a photobioreactor
with mechanic stirring. Part of the algal suspension was periodically separated from the
photobioreactor. The biomass was then precipitated and could be either returned back to the
photobioreactor or separated as yield if the algal density was too high. The remaining cultural
solution was placed under vacuum so that the dissolved oxygen could be removed. After that the
solution was enriched with CO2
from biogas. It was then returned to the photobioreactor because
the content of NaHCO3
was once again restored. Thus, methane can exit the absorption column
purified due to its low solubility. The major outcome of the proposed procedure is the production
of methane-rich and oxygen-free biogas which can be pressured and transported.

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