High-density photoautotrophic algal cultures: Design, construction, and operation of a novel photobioreactor system

You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.

Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.

High-density photoautotrophic algal cultures: Design, construction, and operation of a novel photobioreactor system

Author(s): Javanmardian, MinooPalsson, Bernhard O.

Issue Date: 5-Dec-1991
Publisher: Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company

Citation:
Javanmardian, Minoo; Palsson, Bernhard O. (10)."High-density photoautotrophic algal cultures: Design, construction, and operation of a novel photobioreactor system." Biotechnology and Bioengineering 38: 1182-1189.

Abstract

A photobioreactor system has been designed, constructed and implemented to achieve high photosynthetic rates in high-density photoautotrophic algal cell suspensions. This unit is designed for efficient oxygen and biomass production rates, and it also can be used for the production of secreted products. A fiber-optic based optical transmission system that is coupled to an internal light distribution system illuminates the culture volume uniformly, at light intensities of 1.7 mW/cm 2 over a specific surface area of 3.2 cm 2 /cm 3 . Uniform light distribution is achieved throughout the reactor without interfering with the flow pattern required to keep the cells in suspension. An on-line ultrafiltration unit exchanges spent with fresh medium, and its use results in very high cell densities, up to 10 9 cells/mL [3% (w/v)] for eukaryotic green alga chlorella vulgaris . DNA histograms obtained form flow cytometric analysis reveal that on-line ultrafiltration influences the growth pattern. Prior to ultrafiltration the cells seem to have at a particular point in the cell cycle where they contain multiple chromosomal equivalents. Following ultrafiltration, these cells divide, and the new cells are committed to division so that cell growth resumes. The Prototype photobioreactor system was operated both in batch and in continuous mode for over 2 months. The measured oxygen production rate of 4-6 mmol/L culture h under continuous operation is consistent with th

Original source link and full report here

Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again

Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source

About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"