Investigation of H2 production using the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in a fully controlled photobioreactor fitted with on-line gas analysis

Abstract

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is able to produce molecular hydrogen in a clean way. Overall H 2 release is the result of complex, interacting and transient intracellular mechanisms. To relate the dynamic coupling between culture conditions and biological responses, an original lab-scale setup has been developed. Such device enables culture conditions to be highly controlled and provides on-line mass-spectrometric measurement of gas production. A first validation was conducted with the well-known protocol of sulfur deprivation. Biochemical analysis combined with gas flow control enabled instantaneous productivities to be calculated, and kinetic evolutions of successive physiological states to be obtained. An energetic study was also conducted. A maximal energetic yield of light conversion to H 2 energy of 0.125% was achieved, far from the photosynthesis potential and usual photobioreactor efficiencies reported for biomass application (around 10%). However, the designed photobioreactor connected with data acquisition system is an innovative tool for future methodical optimization of H 2 production using photosynthetic microorganisms, integrating both bioprocess and physiological aspects.

The heterogeneous prognosis of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and chromosome 5 abnormalities

“…The experimental set‐up was based on a torus‐shaped photobioreactor (PBR; Fig. 1) illuminated on one side, already described elsewhere (Fouchard et al, 2008; Pottier et al, 2005; Pruvost et al, 2006). Its working volume was 1.3 L with a specific illuminated area of 25 m −1 .…”

Potential for green microalgae to produce hydrogen, pharmaceuticals and other high value products in a combined process

“…The second step must be performed in a strictly anaerobic environment, which not only must be optimized to supply the best physical conditions for the culture, but also must be optimized for collection of the produced hydrogen gas. Different setups for this method have been discussed previously (Fouchard et al , 2008; Hankamer et al , 2007; Melis, 2002). …”

Parameter identification and state estimation of a microalgae dynamical model in sulphur deprived conditions: Global sensitivity analysis, optimization criterion, extended Kalman filter

“…A mass balance on carbon dioxide consumed or on the oxygen produced can give a correct estimation of biomass concentration. [21] Figure 18. Growth rate as a function of the light intensity.…”