Improved liquid foam-bed photobioreactor design for microalgae cultivation

Janoska, Agnes; Barten, Robin; Nooy, Sam de; Rijssel, Piotr van; Wijffels, René H.; Janssen, Marcel

doi:10.1016/j.algal.2018.04.025

“…a Wet foam flow, high-density foam or bubble jamming; b bubbly flow; c slug flow. d H 2 bubble gradient in an active biological methanation process reported by Garcia-Robledo et al; Maegaard et al (part of figure adapted from Jensen et al [ 8 , 40 , 41 ]) …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3 c). The inherent breakdown of bubbles in the BM process [1CO 2 (g) + 4H 2 (g) ⟶1CH 4 (g) + 2H 2 O (L) ] prevented a further additional step of foam breakage, which was reported in the literature as a subsequent step aimed at releasing the gas phase trapped within the bubbles [ 41 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improved biological methanation using tubular foam-bed reactor

Khesali Aghtaei,

Heyer,

Reichl

et al. 2024

Biotechnol Biofuels

1

0

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Background Power-to-gas is the pivotal link between electricity and gas infrastructure, enabling the broader integration of renewable energy. Yet, enhancements are necessary for its full potential. In the biomethanation process, transferring H2 into the liquid phase is a rate-limiting step. To address this, we developed a novel tubular foam-bed reactor (TFBR) and investigated its performance at laboratory scale. Results A non-ionic polymeric surfactant (Pluronic® F-68) at 1.5% w/v was added to the TFBR’s culture medium to generate a stabilized liquid foam structure. This increased both the gas–liquid surface area and the bubble retention time. Within the tubing, cells predominantly traveled evenly suspended in the liquid phase or were entrapped in the thin liquid film of bubbles flowing inside the tube. Phase (I) of the experiment focused primarily on mesophilic (40 °C) operation of the tubular reactor, followed by phase (II), when Pluronic® F-68 was added. In phase (II), the TFBR exhibited 6.5-fold increase in biomethane production rate (MPR) to 15.1 $$({\text{L}}_{{\text{CH}}_{4}}\text{/}{\text{L}}_{\text{R}}\text{/d)}$$ ( L CH 4 /L R /d) , with a CH4 concentration exceeding 90% (grid quality), suggesting improved H2 transfer. Transitioning to phase (III) with continuous operation at 55 °C, the MPR reached 29.7 $${\text{L}}_{{\text{CH}}_{4}}\text{/}{\text{L}}_{\text{R}}\text{/d}$$ L CH 4 /L R /d while maintaining the grid quality CH4. Despite, reduced gas–liquid solubility and gas–liquid mass transfer at higher temperatures, the twofold increase in MPR compared to phase (II) might be attributed to other factors, i.e., higher metabolic activity of the methanogenic archaea. To assess process robustness for phase (II) conditions, a partial H2 feeding regime (12 h 100% and 12 h 10% of the nominal feeding rate) was implemented. Results demonstrated a resilient MPR of approximately 14.8 $${\text{L}}_{{\text{CH}}_{4}}\text{/}{\text{L}}_{\text{R}}\text{/d}$$ L CH 4 /L R /d even with intermittent, low H2 concentration. Conclusions Overall, the TFBR’s performance plant sets the course for an accelerated introduction of biomethanation technology for the storage of volatile renewable energy. Robust process performance, even under H2 starvation, underscores its reliability. Further steps towards an optimum operation regime and scale-up should be initiated. Additionally, the use of TFBR systems should be considered for biotechnological processes in which gas–liquid mass transfer is a limiting factor for achieving higher reaction rates.

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“…These available commercial sensors coupled with bioprocess software opens up the possibility of continuous monitoring in steady‐state culturing processes via precise nutrient feed and dilution rate control. Chemostat modes were widely applied to study the potential of long‐term microalgal biofilm cultivation (Janoska et al, 2018). This cultivation mode is ideal for algal physiological study as the most favourable specific growth rate can be maintained to assure continuous algal biomass production.…”

Section: In Situ Analysis Of Microalgal Biofilm and Its Extracellular...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A methodological review on the characterization of microalgal biofilm and its extracellular polymeric substances

Tong

¹

,

Chan

²

2022

Journal of Applied Microbiology

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Biofilm secreted by microalgae are extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) composed mainly of polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids and lipids. These EPSs immobilize the cells and stabilize biofilm, mediating adhesion towards solid surfaces.The EPSs valorization through industrial exploitations and scientific works is becoming more popular, but the bottleneck of such studies is the lack of consensus among researchers on the selection of detection techniques to be used, especially for novice researchers. It is a daunting task for any inexperienced researcher when they fail to identify the right tools needed for microalgal biofilm studies. In this review, a wellrefined analysis protocol about microalgal biofilm and EPSs were prepared including its extraction and characterization. Pros and cons of various detection techniques were addressed and cutting-edge methods to study biofilm EPSs were highlighted.Future perspectives were also presented at the end of this review to bridge research gaps in studying biofilm adhesion via EPSs production. Ultimately, this review aims to assist novice researchers in making the right choices in their research studies on microalgal biofilms in accordance to the available technologies and needs.

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“…This classification can be extended by considering the type of fluids in the illuminated part of the reactor, which leads to the classification of typical photobioreactors as being depicted in Figure 1. As the focus of this review is on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), we only consider common reactors for submerged cultures and alternative reactor types, e.g., [53][54][55], are omitted. The typical design variant of open reactors are Open Raceway Ponds (ORP), see Figure 1, top left.…”

Section: Photobioreactors and Relevant Phenomena Therein 21 Photobior...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling and Simulation of Photobioreactors with Computational Fluid Dynamics—A Comprehensive Review

Luzi¹,

McHardy

²

2022

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Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) have been frequently applied to model the growth conditions in photobioreactors, which are affected in a complex way by multiple, interacting physical processes. We review common photobioreactor types and discuss the processes occurring therein as well as how these processes have been considered in previous CFD models. The analysis reveals that CFD models of photobioreactors do often not consider state-of-the-art modeling approaches. As a comprehensive photobioreactor model consists of several sub-models, we review the most relevant models for the simulation of fluid flows, light propagation, heat and mass transfer and growth kinetics as well as state-of-the-art models for turbulence and interphase forces, revealing their strength and deficiencies. In addition, we review the population balance equation, breakage and coalescence models and discretization methods since the predicted bubble size distribution critically depends on them. This comprehensive overview of the available models provides a unique toolbox for generating CFD models of photobioreactors. Directions future research should take are also discussed, mainly consisting of an extensive experimental validation of the single models for specific photobioreactor geometries, as well as more complete and sophisticated integrated models by virtue of the constant increase of the computational capacity.

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Improved liquid foam-bed photobioreactor design for microalgae cultivation

Cited by 21 publications

References 54 publications

Improved biological methanation using tubular foam-bed reactor

Improved biological methanation using tubular foam-bed reactor

A methodological review on the characterization of microalgal biofilm and its extracellular polymeric substances

Modeling and Simulation of Photobioreactors with Computational Fluid Dynamics—A Comprehensive Review

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