Abstract
Abstract Microalgae hold great potential as a source for renewable energy due to their high photosynthetic efficiency, high growth rates and independence from fertile agricultural lands. However, large-scale cultivation systems of microalgae biomass are still not economically viable mainly due to the difficulties with maintaining optimum growth conditions of microalgae in open pond systems and high costs of biomass cultivation and harvesting. Here we propose the Novel Stacked Modular Open Raceway Ponds (SMORPs) system for microalgae biomass cultivation to be integrated in biogas production plant. The proposed technological solution will eliminate the drawbacks of current microalgae cultivation technologies, mainly, will reduce the land use, improve lighting conditions and reduce the cost of cultivation as a result of the application of waste products from biogas production, i.e. anaerobic digestion effluent and flue gas. In this study we propose the initial design of the SMORP concept and a microalgae biomass kinetic model as a simple approach to screen microalgae strains potentially applicable for large-scale ponds. The developed tool is also useful to evaluate the potential benefit of additional artificial LED light sources and to assess the maximum biomass growth rate with minimal light intensity.
Highlights
IntroductionMicroalgae are photosynthetic organisms able to fix solar energy and carbon dioxide into biomass and oxygen production, one of their main characteristics is good adaptability to new growing conditions [3], [4]
The use of microalgae as a promising renewable energy source has been growing within the last decade due to the specific quality and characteristics of microalgae [1], [2] and the capability to cope with climate change from CO2 anthropogenic emissions.Microalgae are photosynthetic organisms able to fix solar energy and carbon dioxide into biomass and oxygen production, one of their main characteristics is good adaptability to new growing conditions [3], [4]
The design, the operation and monitoring of the pilot Stacked Modular Open Raceway Ponds (SMORPs) module was supported by the latest best practices for microalgae cultivation as explained within the project EnAlgae [45] and from the technological solutions according to Chisti [46] and Yadala [57] widely used in commercial production of algal biomass
Summary
Microalgae are photosynthetic organisms able to fix solar energy and carbon dioxide into biomass and oxygen production, one of their main characteristics is good adaptability to new growing conditions [3], [4]. Due to their high CO2 fixation rate, microalgae can grow well under high level of CO2 making them a beneficial interface acting like a bio-filter for the treatment of exhaust gases and flue gas emissions from thermal and industrial plants [1]. Microalgae cultivation can be placed in unproductive and/or remote areas avoiding competition with food crops [9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
