Energy from marine biomass. Quarterly report, July 1-September 30, 1978

A major milestone was completed in the Oceans Engineering area with the successful deployment of the Test Farm. All systems were installed by 29 September 1978, and a detailed systems checkout is now underway prior to a full start-up of the Test Farm. Compatibility of the Test Farm with the planned transport and attachment procedures of the Macrocystis pyrifera plants has been completed and planting will begin on the full structure during the month of October. Success was also achieved in the Inoculum Development phase of the program with the production of two methane enrichments, one grown on an acetate medium and the other on a mixed acid substrate. These will be used in future mixed inoculum digester studies as an attempt to significantly decrease detention time.