Outdoor open thin-layer microalgal photobioreactor: potential productivity

Abstract

We have previously estimated the productivity and photosynthetic efficiency of the microalga Chlorella sp. grown in an outdoor open thin-layer photobioreactor under climate conditions typical of the Middle European region, i.e. with many days unsuitable for intensive growth of algae (cloudy and rainy days, low air temperature, low solar PAR input).To estimate the real potential productivity of the bioreactor, we collected data on algae yields obtained during clear summer day periods. Cultivation was performed in fed-batch cycles in a bioreactor with a 224 m2 culture area (length 28 m, slope 1.7%), and a 6–7 mm-thick layer of algal culture. The suspension volume in the bioreactor was 2,000 L. The mean values found for Třeboň (49°N), Czech Republic, as an average of several sunny summer cultivation periods in July, were: net areal productivity, Pnet = 38.2 g dry weight (DW) m-2 day-1; net volumetric productivity, Pvol, = 4.3 g algal DW L-1 day-1, photosynthetic efficiency (based on PAR), ηnet = 7.05%. The peak values were: Pnet about 50 g (DW) m-2 day-1, ηnet about 9%. Algal growth rate was practically linear up to high biomass densities (40–50 g DW L-1, corresponding to an areal density of 240–300 g DW m-2), at which point the culture was harvested. The concentration of dissolved oxygen increased from about 10 mg L-1 at the beginning to about 23 mg L-1 at the end of culture area at noon. Use of the above-described technology for economical production of bioethanol is proposed.