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Caye Drapcho

Caye DrapchoAssociate Professor
441B Brackett Hall
Clemson, SC 29634
864.656.0378
864.656.1041 FAX
E-mail: cdrapch@clemson.edu

Ph.D. Biosystems Engineering, Clemson University, 1993
B.S./M.S. Environmental Management, Pennsylvania State University

Professional Registration
FE, Louisiana

Classes | Publications | Honors 

Personal Homepage: http://people.clemson.edu/~cdrapch

Faculty Overview

Dr. Drapcho’s research interests are in the areas of sustainable biofuels and bioproducts formation; environmental remediation; microbial kinetics and bioreactor modeling

Current research projects include:

  • Biofuels Engineering Textbook
  • Biological Hydrogen Production
  • Biological Reactor Modeling
  • Algal Culture for Nutraceutical Production and Carbon Capture
  • Microbial Fuel Cells

Class Information

For current syllabi, please search the Clemson University Syllabus Repository.

BE 2100 Introduction to Biosystems Engineering
BE 2120 Fundamentals of Biosystems Engineering
BE 3000 BE Honors Seminar
BE 3010 BE Honors Thesis Research
BE 3700 Practicum
BE 4100/6100 Biological Kinetics and Reactor Modeling
BE 4120/6120 Heat and Mass Transport in Biosystems Engineering
BE 4510 Newman Seminar and Lecture Series in Natural Resources Engineering
BE 4750 Biosystems Engineering Capstone Design
BE 4990, Sec 003: Sustainable Designs for Developing and Recovering Communities (EWB) Creative Inquiry

Selected Publications, Presentations, & Books

Foglia, F., Drapcho, C., Nghiem, J., 2022. Effectiveness of Tannin Removal by Alkaline Pretreatment on Sorghum Ethanol Production. Ferment. 2022, Vol. 8, Page 274 8, 274. doi:10.3390/FERMENTATION8060274

Caye M. Drapcho, Nhuận Phú Nghiêm, Terry H. Walker, P.D., 2020. Biofuels Engineering Process Technology, Second Edition 489–500.

Anderson, S., Walker, T., Moser, B., Drapcho, C., Zheng, Y., Bridges, W., 2019. Evaluation of Dominant Parameters in Lipase Transesterification of Cottonseed Oil. Trans. ASABE 62, 467–474. doi:10.13031/trans.13003

Watson, M.K., Drapcho, C.M., 2016. Kinetics of Inorganic Carbon-Limited Freshwater Algal Growth at High pH. Trans. ASABE 59, 1633–1643. doi:10.13031/trans.59.11520

Mealing V, Harman M, Pysh M, Mikhailova E, Drapcho C., Weisensee K. Development of a bone bioreactor for forensic applications. Biomedical Engineering Society, Tampa, FL, Presented 2015.

Krishnakumar, J., Drapcho, C.M., Nghiem, N.P., 2014. Biological Production of Succinic Acid Using Cull Peach Medium: Effects of Corn Steep Liquor Supplement and Hydrogen Sparging. Biol. Eng. Trans. 6, 189–202. doi:10.13031/bet6.10394

Nghiem, N.P., Nguyen, C.M., Drapcho, C.M., Walker, T.H., Nghiem, N.P., 2013. Sweet Sorghum Biorefinery for Production of Fuel Ethanol and Value-Added Co-products. Biol. Eng. Trans. 6, 143–155. doi:10.13031/bet.6.9926

Drapcho, C. and Crockett, E. BT-ATE Pipeline for Progress: A Multi-Level Educational Plan for an Emerging Industry. Refereed proceedings, ASEE Annual Conference 2013, Atlanta, Georgia June 23 - 26, 2013.

Nghiem, N.P., Montanti, J., Johnston, D.B., Drapcho, C., 2011. Fractionation of Corn Fiber Treated by Soaking in Aqueous Ammonia (SAA) for Isolation of Hemicellulose B and Production of C5 Sugars by Enzyme Hydrolysis. Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 164, 1390–1404. doi:10.1007/s12010-011-9220-4

X. Yu, X., C. M. Drapcho, C.M., 2011. Hydrogen Production by the Hyperthermophilic Bacterium Thermotoga neapolitana using Agricultural-Based Carbon and Nitrogen Sources. Biol. Eng. Trans. 4, 101–112. doi:10.13031/2013.38506

Awards & Honors

Lund BE Professor of the Year 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2011