Bioproduction of high-value carboxylic acids through anaerobic fermentation of high-rate activated

86 Pages·2017·2.47 MB·English

Bioproduction of high-value carboxylic acids
through anaerobic fermentation of high-rate
activated sludge

LOTTE VAN PETEGHEM
Stamnummer: 01207722
Promotors: Prof. dr. ir. Korneel Rabaey
Dr. Ramon Ganigué

Tutors: Cristina Cagnetta
Dr. ir. Jo De Vrieze

Masterproef voorgelegd voor het behalen van de graad master in de richting Master of Science in
de industriële wetenschappen: biochemie
Academiejaar: 2016 – 2017
I

Bioproduction of high-value carboxylic acids
through anaerobic fermentation of high-rate
activated sludge

LOTTE VAN PETEGHEM
Stamnummer: 01207722
Promotors: Prof. dr. ir. Korneel Rabaey
Dr. Ramon Ganigué

Tutors: Cristina Cagnetta
Dr. ir. Jo De Vrieze

Masterproef voorgelegd voor het behalen van de graad master in de richting Master of Science in
de industriële wetenschappen: biochemie
Academiejaar: 2016 – 2017

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Universiteitsbibliotheek Gent, 2021.
This page is not available because it contains personal information.
Ghent University, Library, 2021.
II
Acknowledgements
First of all I would like to address an important mistake most people make, when talking about a
thesis. It is a general believe master students ‘write’ a thesis in their last year. However ‘writing’
in this case, is a serious underestimation, which doesn’t prepare you at all for the things you can
expect from a thesis year. Before anyone starts to think I resented this experience, I would like to
convince you from the opposite. ‘Writing’ this thesis did not only gain me valuable knowledge
and lab experience, but it also brought me in contact with wonderful people without whom this
thesis would never have reached the point it is now.
First and foremost I would like to express my internal gratitude towards Cristina Cagnetta. You
were there to guide and support me in every possible way and this for the whole year. I admire the
way you approached every challenge, as well as your stubbornness in how to solve it. I would
never have learned as much as I did now if it wasn’t for you. Therefore I would like to thank you,
you were literally always there for me.
Second, a special thanks goes out to Ramon Ganigué, you were always interested in discussing my
results and the further development of the project. Your help in the lab, writing and shaping this
thesis story were very important to finalize this project.
I would also like to thank Jo De Vrieze for taking over the maintenance in the lab when I couldn’t
be there, your immer positive mood and inspiring suggestions. Professor Korneel Rabaey who
gave me the opportunity to write my thesis and finish my studies in such an inspiring group as
CMET. Your passion for the microbial and renewable technologies are a real inspiration. Stephen
Andersen, thank you for sharing your extended knowledge on electrochemical extraction and
sharing your vision on the experimental set-up.
Furthermore I would like the thank everyone at CMET, this place literally was my ‘home’ for one
year. All thesis students how made my time in the lab so much fun. Jonas, Stijn, Michiel, Lisa,
Niels, Evert and Sophie thank you for being there. I’m so glad I got to spend this much time with
you guys.
Finally, dear mom, dad and little sister thank you for always believing in me and giving me your
internal support. My awesome roommates Marlies and Sarie, who are as close to me as real family.
All my friends and family ( including Koen, Joke and grandparents) spending time with me during
this roller-coaster of a year. Thank you for being there, offering me the necessary relaxation time.
Thank you all!!
Lotte Van Peteghem
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