Details

Title:

Cultivation of Scenedesmus spp. in Raceway Reactor

Author(s):

Mendoza Martin, J., Heaven, S., Acien Fernandez, G., Banks, C.J., Molina Grima, E.

Document(s):

Abstract:

Scenedesmus was cultivated continuously over a 6-month period in a 100 m2 raceway reactor instrumented to record pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature. Supplementary carbon was provided in the form of flue gas (10% CO2), with additions controlled by raceway pH. The overall efficiency of the sump was found to be ~90% and the use of flue gas also contributed to reducing accumulated dissolved oxygen. Dilution rate was varied to control biomass growth rate in relation to raceway conditions. During the winter period (December - February) micro-algal productivity was between 10-15 g total suspended solids (TSS) m-2 day-1 and in spring (April-May) this rose to 20-25 g TSS m-2 day-1. Seasonal variations were also evident in the rate of evaporation from the raceways which was as much as 7% per day even in the relatively mild spring period. Inhibition of the algal culture was apparent towards the end of the reported experimental period and this was due to a combination of mid-day temperatures >35oC and levels of dissolved oxygen >350% saturation.

Keywords:

CO₂, scenedesmus, raceway, flue gas, oxygen accumulation, ph control

Topic:

Biomass resources

Subtopic:

Algae production systems

Event:

21st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

1BO.3.2

Pages:

67 - 70

ISBN:

978-88-89407-53-0

Paper DOI:

10.5071/21stEUBCE2013-1BO.3.2

Price:

FREE