Tubular photobioreactor design for algal cultures

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.

Tubular photobioreactor design for algal cultures

Journal of Biotechnology 92 (2001) 113–131

E. Molina, J. Ferna´ndez, F.G. Acie´n, Y. Chisti
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almerı´a, E- 04071 Almeria, Spain

Received 13 June 2000; received in revised form 6 October 2000; accepted 13 October 2000

Abstract

Principles of fluid mechanics, gas–liquid mass transfer, and irradiance controlled algal growth are integrated intoa method for designing tubular photobioreactors in which the culture is circulated by an airlift pump. A 0.2 m3photobioreactor designed using the proposed approach was proved in continuous outdoor culture of the microalgaPhaeodactylum tricornutum. The culture performance was assessed under various conditions of irradiance, dilutionrates and liquid velocities through the tubular solar collector. A biomass productivity of 1.90 g l−1 d−1 (or 32 g m−2d−1) could be obtained at a dilution rate of 0.04 h−1. Photoinhibition was observed during hours of peak irradiance;the photosynthetic activity of the cells recovered a few hours later. Linear liquid velocities of 0.50 and 0.35 m s−1 inthe solar collector gave similar biomass productivities, but the culture collapsed at lower velocities. The effect ofdissolved oxygen concentration on productivity was quantified in indoor conditions; dissolved oxygen levels higher orlower than air saturation values reduced productivity. Under outdoor conditions, for given levels of oxygensupersaturation, the productivity decline was greater outdoors than indoors, suggesting that under intense outdoorillumination photooxidation contributed to loss of productivity in comparison with productivity loss due to oxygeninhibition alone. Dissolved oxygen values at the outlet of solar collector tube were up to 400% of air saturation.

Original source here (PDF)

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!"