Ronald A. Putt

Ronald A. Putt is an Associate Research Professor at Auburn University’s Chemical Engineering department.

Contact Information:

Office: 220 Ross Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849
Phone: (334) 844-2480

Area of Research: Systems for microalgae cultivation and harvesting; catalyst development; electrochemical technology; product and process development; technology startups

On February 20, 2008 Ron Putt was a guest speaker in a T-CO Biodiesel Seminar. He presented his research on how algae could be used to produce an oil, which could then be processed in to biodiesel. Ron can be seen in a short preview video clip of the February 20th seminar, and he can also be heard answering a few questions during the Q & A session following the seminar.

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Download the Powerpoint file used during the presentation.

In November of 2007, Ron Putt (Principle Investigator) as part of the Center for Microfibrous Materials Manufacturing (CM3), Department of Chemical Engineering of Auburn University conducted a feasibility assessment regarding the use of algae as a biodiesel feedstock.

Below is the table of contents and a link to the the complete version of this document.

Algae as a Biodiesel Feedstock: A Feasibility Assessment

Table of Contents:
• Executive Summary	1
• Introduction	3
• Overview of this Report	4
• Nutrients	5
• Animal Husbandry Summary	7
• Algae Growth Kinetics	7
• Overall System Design	9
• Digester	10
• Pond	10
• Carbonation	12
• Harvesting	12
• Experimental Program	14
• Economic Analysis	16
• The Next Step	20
• References	21

Appendices:
A. Air-to-Pond Carbon Dioxide Transport	22
B. Means of Enhancing Air-to-Water Carbon Dioxide Transport	24
C. Carbon Dioxide Stripping from Diesel Exhaust Gasses	28
D. Pond Mass Balance	33
E. Paddlewheel Power	34
F. Digester for Animal Litter	36
G. Harvesting	39
H. Dewatering and Drying	41
I. Energy Balance	43

To read this feasibility assessment, Download the PDF file .