Effects of Environmental Factors on the Growth of Algae for Biofuel Production in a Household-Based Alternative Energy System

The efficiency and cost effectiveness of using algae to create biofuel has been much debated in recent years. A household-based biofuel system that uses sewage as a medium in which to grow mixed algae cultures is a possible solution to decreasing the production and transportation costs of biofuel. Aside from the manufacturing issues involved, it is important to determine what variables most affect the growth of algae and the production of biofuel. This study presents the results of an ANOVA-based set of experiments that evaluate the effect of several variables on algae growth in wastewater. While much work remains to be done, these results will help determine the optimal environmental conditions for a household-based biofuel system that utilizes mixed algae cultures.