Growth modeling of the green microalga Scenedesmus obliquus in a hybrid photobioreactor as a practical tool to understand both physical and biochemical phenomena in play during algae cultivation

Abstract

In recent years, numerous studies have justified the use of microalgae as a sustainable alternative for the generation of different types of fuels, food supplementation, and cosmetics, as well as bioremediation processes. To improve the cost/benefit ratio of microalgae mass production, many culture systems have been built and upgraded. Mathematical modeling the growth of different species in different systems has become an efficient and practical tool to understand both physical and biochemical phenomena in play during algae cultivation. In addition, growth modeling can guide design changes that lead to process optimization. In the present work, growth of the green microalga Scenedesmus obliquus was modeled in a hybrid photobioreactor that combines the characteristics of tubular photobioreactors (TPB) with thin-layer cascades (TLC). The system showed productivity greater than 8.0 g m day (dry mass) for CO -fed cultures, and the model proved to be an accurate representation of experimental data with R greater than 0.7 for all cases under variable conditions of temperature and irradiance to determine subsystem efficiency. Growth modeling also allowed growth prediction relative to the operating conditions of TLC, making it useful for estimating the system given other irradiance and temperature conditions, as well as other microalgae species.

A multidisciplinary review ofTetradesmus obliquus: a microalga suitable for large‐scale biomass production and emerging environmental applications

“…Thin-layer systems are perhaps an evolved version of raceway ponds (Tramontin et al 2018). In these systems, cultures are maintained in a turbulent flow in a water column (of few millimetres) which allows higher volumetric and areal productivities (Masoj ıdek & Pr a sil 2010;Morales-Amaral et al 2015).…”

“…Thin-layer systems are perhaps an evolved version of raceway ponds (Tramontin et al 2018). In these ).…”

Advances in Microalgal Research in Brazil

“…An outstanding photobioreactor system with a volume capacity of 12,000 L was developed and patented by Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) researchers [31]. Another notable patented system, developed by Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) researchers, includes a tubular photobioreactor combined with thin-layer cascades [32]. Both systems were designed for wastewater bioremediation through microalgal cultivation.…”