Title:
Flat-plate and Bubble Column Photobioreactors for Culture of Chlorella Pyrenoidosa Using Secondarily Treated Sewage
Author(s):
Sánchez, S., Órpez, R., Hodaifa, G., Valdivia, M., Patón, M.P., Martínez, L., Pacheco, R., Martínez, M.E.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
The triple use of microalgae for CO2 elimination, bioremediation and biomass production for sustainable valuable sources like biofuels and fine chemicals is a feasible option with enormous industrial and economic potential. Biodiesel production from microalgae is a promising alternative, because microalgae improve characteristics in relation to crops of traditional plant sources. The secondarily treated sewages can contain ammonium, nitrates, phosphates, potassium salts, organic matter, inorganic carbon and other micronutrients. These wastewaters can be used as nutrients to produce an algal biomass with a biochemical composition rich in lipids. Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Chick 8H Emerson, is a green unicellular algal that can produce a substantial amount of lipids. Experiments in two types of photobioreactors have been carried out, using a flat-plate and a bubble column at mini-plant scale and in natural conditions. Culture pH ranged in the range 7.8-9.1, temperature in the interval 287.15-309.15 K and an air flow (Q) was supplied to maintain the cells in suspension (Q = 1 v/v/min in the bubble column). In the flat-plate photobioreactor, at intervals, air enriched with CO2 was supplied, in order to maintain the pH=8.0. This study tries to evaluate the parameter kinetics (maximum specific growth rate, µm, and volumetric biomass productivity, Pb) as well as the formation of lipids in the biomass formed. In the bubble column photobioreactor and under natural conditions, the highest values of µm and Pb were 0.12 d-1 and 0.14 10-3 g/dm3h, respectively, while the flat-plate photobioreactor these parameters were higher, µm=0.50 d-1 and Pb=3.15 10-3 g/dm3h. The maximum concentration of total lipids was reached in the bubble column photobioreactor, 20.9% (dry weight).
Keywords:
biodiesel, microalgae, wastewater, photobioreactor, lipids, Chlorella pyrenoidosa
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Algae production systems
Event:
23rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1CV.1.65
Pages:
235 - 239
ISBN:
978-88-89407-516
Paper DOI:
10.5071/23rdEUBCE2015-1CV.1.65
Price:
FREE
