光生物反应器脱除空气中CO2的模型研究

微藻光生物反应器具有脱除空气中CO_2能力。从光生物反应器构型、进气流速、混合传质,及微藻光合/呼吸速率等方面,探讨气升式光生物反应器脱除空气中CO_2效果,提出了时间离散化和集中参数法两种分析方法。运用集中参数法建立了气升式柱型光生物反应器脱除CO_2的数学模型,模拟了藻液中溶氧浓度(DO)、pH随时间的变化情况,及进气CO_2浓度影响,预测并验证了光照条件下出气CO_2、O_2浓度的变化趋势。模拟结果和实验数据基本吻合,所提出的模型对光生物反应器的优化设计、微藻的高密度培养,及CO_2去除能力预测具有参考意义。     

经济微藻高密度培养技术及其生物资源化利用

经济微藻富含不饱和脂肪酸、蛋白质、碳水化合物等多种生物活性物质, 可以应用于食品加工业、水产养殖业、医药与美容业、废水处理环保业和生物能源业等各行业。开发和利用微藻生物资源将是解决人类能源需求的重要途径, 微藻产业化的发展进程与社会经济、生态环境和人类健康有密切的关系。微藻高密度培养是提高微藻生物质产量和活性代谢产物, 发展生物质能源的关键环节。论文综述了微藻的社会经济价值, 指出了其在能源、食品、水产等行业的重要作用; 介绍了开放式培养和封闭式培养的两大类技术体系, 比较分析了柱状光反应器、平板光反应器和管状光反应器的特点; 概括了影响经济微藻生长和油脂含量的主要因素, 包括光照、温度、pH、营养元素等, 最后展望了经济微藻培养及其生物资源化利用的前景。     

光生物反应器脱除空气中CO2的模型研究

微藻光生物反应器具有脱除空气中CO₂能力。从光生物反应器构型、进气流速、混合传质,及微藻光合/呼吸速率等方面,探讨气升式光生物反应器脱除空气中CO₂效果,提出了时间离散化和集中参数法两种分析方法。运用集中参数法建立了气升式柱型光生物反应器脱除CO₂的数学模型,模拟了藻液中溶氧浓度（DO）、pH随时间的变化情况,及进气CO₂浓度影响,预测并验证了光照条件下出气CO₂、O2浓度的变化趋势。模拟结果和实验数据基本吻合,所提出的模型对光生物反应器的优化设计、微藻的高密度培养,及CO2去除能力预测具有参考意义。     

微藻培养过程的光特性研究进展

微藻培养过程中光的吸收、衰减以及光暗循环等特性是影响微藻的生长速度及其产量的重要因素。本文分析了微藻的光吸收过程、光在微藻培养液中的衰减特性以及微藻培养过程中的光暗循环特性,重点综述了国内外各类光生物反应器中光特性的研究进展,并对其发展方向进行了展望,为微藻培养光生物反应器的设计提供参考依据。     

微藻培养系统内光现象的研究进展

分析了微藻培养系统内光传递过程的数学模型和光分布影响因素,重点综述了光暗循环对微藻生长影响的实验研究和CFD技术应用研究进展,展望了微藻培养系统内光现象的发展方向,以期为规模化、高效微藻培养光生物反应器的设计、优化和放大提供参考。     

封闭式光生物反应器研究进展

国际上80～90年代,封闭式光生物反应器是微藻生物技术的重要研究热点,也是微藻生物技术产业化的关键技术之一。本文较全面地介绍了用于微藻大规模培养的封闭式光生物反应器研究现状。将封闭式光生物反应器分为柱式、管式、板式和光导纤维反应器等类型。工业放大前景的管式和板式光生物反应器采取了典型个案分析的方法,列表比较了典型反应器的主要技术参数,并对它们的技术发展趋势进行了归纳总结。     

大规模微藻光生物反应器的研究进展

微藻同时具备CO2固定和有机废水生物净化的双重效果,且微藻生物质在食品、饲(饵)料、生物能源开发等领域受到广泛关注,然而高效的微藻光生物反应器是微藻大规模养殖的重要瓶颈问题之一。本文中,笔者综述了封闭式微藻光生物反应器的类型、基本结构及其优缺点,对开放式微藻光合反应器陆续被改善、研发和试用进行了介绍,同时对开发复合型微藻光合反应器以及采用封闭型微藻光合反应器制种和开放式光合反应器快速生产的微藻养殖模式进行了简述,以期为微藻的大规模培养提供一定参考依据。     

用管式光生物反应器培养螺旋藻的研究

微藻大规模培养主要有敞开式大池培养和封闭式光生物反应器培养两种主要方式。管式光生物反应器是封闭式光生物反应器的主要类型之一。与其它类型相比,管式光生物反应器放大较易,成本较低。国外关于管式光生物反应器已有不少研究［１～３］但关于管式光生物反应器产率与光强和光暗比的关系等方面的研究尚未得出明确的结论。国内管式光生物反应器的研究较少［４］,尚未见有关管式光生物反应器中微藻悬浮液流变特性基础参数和产率影响因素的报道。螺旋藻是丝状体蓝藻,螺旋藻蛋白质含量高,其蛋白质所含必需氨基酸丰富,是国内外大规模商业…     

微藻养殖中的新型光生物反应器系统

目前世界上微藻的大规模养殖仍普遍采用开放池式生产系统,该系统具有许多不足之处;开发高效、易于控制的新型生产系统是今后开展的趋势。本文对一些新型光生物反应器系统如优化的浅水道工生产系统、密闭管道式、发酵罐式光生物反应器、高密度藻类光生物反应器以及其它类型的光生物反应器进行了较为详细的介绍。     

光生物反应器培养微藻研究进展

微藻具有固定CO2和净化有机废水的能力,在环保、食品饲（饵）料、医药和生物能源开发等领域备受关注,但规模化培养及其产业化仍是研究的难点,亟待解决。就常用于大规模培养微藻的光生物反应器的特点和结构进行了综述。其中,封闭式微藻光生物反应器能够较好地调控藻种的培养条件、不易遭受污染,藻种的纯度容易控制,但培养规模小,生产成本较高;而开放式微藻光生物反应器无法精确控制藻种生长环境,但生产规模大、产量高、生产成本低,因此应用广泛。最佳的方法是综合两者优点,即首先利用封闭式微藻光生物反应器进行中试放大,大量繁殖藻种,然后投入开放式微藻光生物反应器内进行大规模商业生产,此方法有望成为微藻光生物反应器的发展方向,以期为微藻大规模培养提供参考借鉴。     

深红红螺菌吸氢酶缺失突变株在管式光合反应器中的产氢

本研究设计了一种2 L分体式管式光合反应器, 并研究了深红红螺菌(Rhodospirillum rubrum)吸氢酶缺失突变株在该反应器中分别利用人工光源(持续光照与光暗交替)和自然光的产氢规律。结果表明在人工光照条件下R. rubrum的产氢可维持5 d, 持续光照和光暗交替条件下(12 h: 12 h)的氢产量可分别达到5752 mL/PBR ± 158 mL/PBR和5012 mL/PBR ± 202 mL/PBR; 自然光条件下, 最适产氢光照强度为30000 Lux~40000 Lux; 在此光照条件下, R. rubrum产氢可维持6 d~ 10 d, 最高氢产量可达到2800 mL/PBR。尽管利用自然光的氢产量比利用人工光源氢产量低, 但是利用自然光的产氢比较经济, 并且该光合产氢系统操作简单, 该工艺有望开发为低成本的光合细菌产氢技术。     

Biofouling in photobioreactors for marine microalgae

The economic and/or energetic feasibility of processes based on using microalgae biomass requires an efficient cultivation system. In photobioreactors (PBRs), the adhesion of microalgae to the transparent PBR surfaces leads to biofouling and reduces the solar radiation penetrating the PBR. Light reduction within the PBR decreases biomass productivity and, therefore, the photosynthetic efficiency of the cultivation system. Additionally, PBR biofouling leads to a series of further undesirable events including changes in cell pigmentation, culture degradation, and contamination by invasive microorganisms; all of which can result in the cultivation process having to be stopped. Designing PBR surfaces with proper materials, functional groups or surface coatings, to prevent microalgal adhesion is essential for solving the biofouling problem. Such a significant advance in microalgal biotechnology would enable extended operational periods at high productivity and reduce maintenance costs. In this paper, we review the few systematic studies performed so far and applied the existing thermodynamic and colloidal theories for microbial biofouling formation in order to understand microalgal adhesion on PBR surfaces and the microalgae–microalgae cell interactions. Their relationship to the physicochemical properties of the solid PBR surface, the microalgae cell surfaces, and the ionic strength of the culture medium is discussed. The suitability and the applicability of such theories are reviewed. To this end, an example of biofouling formation on a commercial glass surface is presented for the marine microalgae Nannochloropsis gaditana. It highlights the adhesion dynamics and the inaccuracies of the process and the need for further refinement of previous theories so as to apply them to flowing systems, such as is the case for PBRs used to culture microalgae.     

Life cycle assessment of biomass production in microalgae compact photobioreactors

This paper presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) of industrial scale microalgae biomass production in compact photobioreactor (PBR) systems (2 × 5 × 8 m) for supplying biofuel/electricity generation processes and synthesis of new materials. Other objectives are as follows: (i) to compare the impact of various raw materials, substances, and services; and (ii) to evaluate environment‐relevant aspects of the proposed system as compared to microalgae raceway ponds. The life cycle inventory assessment shows that (i) only atmospheric CO₂ is used for PBR microalgae cultivation, whereas in raceway ponds, injection of CO₂ from fossil origin is largely required to allow for microalgae growth; and (ii) the PBR daily production rate of dry biomass is currently at 1.5 kg m^?3 day^?1 for each PBR, which is 12.82 times larger than the reported average 0.117 kg m^?3 day^?1 raceway ponds production. It is found that in general the association of the effects of the production of steel, PVC, and the packaging contribute to more than 85% of the total impact in each analyzed category. Therefore, to achieve PBR biomass production impact reduction and sustainability, PVC and steel utilization need to be minimized, as well as packaging materials. Based on the PBR LCA results, that is, due to no CO₂ injection from fossil origin and low area occupation, it is expected that high density production of truly renewable microalgae biomass could be obtained from PBR systems.     

Mono‐ and dichromatic LED illumination leads to enhanced growth and energy conversion for high‐efficiency cultivation of microalgae for application in space

Illumination with red and blue photons is known to be efficient for cultivation of higher plants. For microalgae cultivation, illumination with specific wavelengths rather than full spectrum illumination can be an alternative where there is a lack of knowledge about achievable biomass yields. This study deals with the usage of color LED illumination to cultivate microalgae integrated into closed life support systems for outer space. The goal is to quantify biomass yields using color illumination (red, blue, green and mixtures) compared to white light. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was cultivated in plate reactors with color compared to white illumination regarding PCE, specific pigment concentration and cell size. Highest PCE values were achieved under low PFDs with a red/blue illumination (680 nm/447 nm) at a 90 to 10% molar ratio. At higher PFDs saturation effects can be observed resulting from light absorption characteristics and the linear part of PI curve. Cell size and aggregation are also influenced by the applied light color. Red/blue color illumination is a promising option applicable for microalgae‐based modules of life support systems under low to saturating light intensities and double‐sided illumination. Results of higher PCE with addition of blue photons to red light indicate an influence of sensory pigments.     

Photosynthetic efficiency of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in attenuated, flashing light

As a result of mixing and light attenuation, algae in a photobioreactor (PBR) alternate between light and dark zones and, therefore, experience variations in photon flux density (PFD). These variations in PFD are called light/dark (L/D) cycles. The objective of this study was to determine how these L/D cycles affect biomass yield on light energy in microalgae cultivation. For our work, we used controlled, short light path, laboratory, turbidostat‐operated PBRs equipped with a LED light source for square‐wave L/D cycles with frequencies from 1 to 100 Hz. Biomass density was adjusted that the PFD leaving the PBR was equal to the compensation point of photosynthesis. Algae were acclimated to a sub‐saturating incident PFD of 220 µmol m^?2 s^?1 for continuous light. Using a duty cycle of 0.5, we observed that L/D cycles of 1 and 10 Hz resulted on average in a 10% lower biomass yield, but L/D cycles of 100 Hz resulted on average in a 35% higher biomass yield than the yield obtained in continuous light. Our results show that interaction of L/D cycle frequency, culture density and incident PFD play a role in overall PBR productivity. Hence, appropriate L/D cycle setting by mixing strategy appears as a possible way to reduce the effect that dark zone exposure impinges on biomass yield in microalgae cultivation. The results may find application in optimization of outdoor PBR design to maximize biomass yields. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109: 2567–2574. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Investigation and modeling of the effects of light spectrum and incident angle on the growth of Chlorella vulgaris in photobioreactors

An in‐depth investigation of how various illumination conditions influence microalgal growth in photobioreactors (PBR) has been presented. Effects of both the light emission spectrum (white and red) and the light incident angle (0° and 60°) on the PBR surface were investigated. The experiments were conducted in two fully controlled lab‐scale PBRs, a torus PBR and a thin flat‐panel PBR for high cell density culture. The results obtained in the torus PBR were used to build the kinetic growth model of Chlorella vulgaris taken as a model species. The PBR model was then applied to the thin flat‐panel PBR, which was run with various illumination conditions. Its detailed representation of local rate of photon absorption under various conditions (spectral calculation of light attenuation, incident angle influence) enabled the model to take into account all the tested conditions with no further adjustment. This allowed a detailed investigation of the coupling between radiation field and photosynthetic growth. Effects of all the radiation conditions together with pigment acclimation, which was found to be relevant, were investigated in depth. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:247–261, 2016     

Photosynthetic efficiency and oxygen evolution of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under continuous and flashing light

As a result of mixing and light attenuation in a photobioreactor (PBR), microalgae experience light/dark (L/D) cycles that can enhance PBR efficiency. One parameter which characterizes L/D cycles is the duty cycle; it determines the time fraction algae spend in the light. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of different duty cycles on oxygen yield on absorbed light energy and photosynthetic oxygen evolution. Net oxygen evolution of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was measured for four duty cycles (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5) in a biological oxygen monitor (BOM). Oversaturating light flashes were applied in a square-wave fashion with four flash frequencies (5, 10, 50, and 100 Hz). Algae were precultivated in a turbidostat and acclimated to a low photon flux density (PFD). A photosynthesis–irradiance (PI) curve was measured under continuous illumination and used to calculate the net oxygen yield, which was maximal between a PFD of 100 and 200 μmol m^?2?s^?1. Net oxygen yield under flashing light was duty cycle-dependent: the highest yield was observed at a duty cycle of 0.1 (i.e., time-averaged PFD of 115 μmol m^?2?s^?1). At lower duty cycles, maintenance respiration reduced net oxygen yield. At higher duty cycles, photon absorption rate exceeded the maximal photon utilization rate, and, as a result, surplus light energy was dissipated which led to a reduction in net oxygen yield. This behavior was identical with the observation under continuous light. Based on these data, the optimal balance between oxygen yield and production rate can be determined to maximize PBR productivity.     

Complex mathematical analysis of photobioreactor system

Modeling as a tool solves extremely difficult tasks in life sciences. Recently, schemes of culturing of microalgae have received special attention because of its unique features and possible uses in many industrial applications for renewable energy production and high value products isolation. The goal of this review is to present the use of system analysis theory applied to microalgae culturing modeling and process development. The review mainly focuses on the modeling of the key steps of autotrophic growth under the integral biorefinery concept of the microalgae biomass. The system approach follows systematically a procedure showing the difficulties by modeling of sub‐systems. The development of microalgae kinetics and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies were analyzed in details as sub‐systems in advanced design of photobioreactor (PBR). This review logically follows the trends of the modeling procedure and clarifies how this approach may save time and money during the research efforts. The result of this work is a successful development of a complex PBR mathematical analysis in the frame of the integral biorefinery concept.     

Effect of optical panel distance in a photobioreactor for nutrient removal and cultivation of microalgae

The aim of present investigation is to assess the effect of illumination area and distance of an optical panel (OP) on the growth of microalgae with simultaneous removal of nutrients. Four different distances of OPs were used i.e. 225 mm OP (Run 1), 150 mm OP (Run 2), 112.5 mm OP (Run 3) and 90 mm distance OP (Run 4) in the photobioreactor (PBR) operations. The PBR was equipped with an OP and operated with a total volume of 37-l. A batch culture was prepared using an initial cell concentration of 1.12 ± 0.05 g l^?1. The experiments were conducted at neutral pH (7.2 ± 0.3) under dark and light cycles of 8 and 16 h, respectively. The diffuse light intensity was recorded as 91, 93, 95 and 98 % for Run 1, Run 2, Run 3 and Run 4, respectively, at a 300 mm depth level in the PBR. The chlorophyll content per cell was found to be an average of 701, 721, 785 and 808 fg for Run 1, Run 2, Run 3 and Run 4, respectively. High chlorophyll content per cell and diffuse light intensity was observed for Run 4 compared to other fractions. However, Run 3 sample possessed approximately 10.51 % higher biomass growth along with 15.22 % chemical oxygen demand, 18.15 % total nitrogen 2.37 % NH₄-N, 15.1 % total phosphorus and 15.05 % PO₄-P more removal than the Run 1. These findings suggest that in terms of economic consideration and efficiency of nutrients removal, Run 3 is found to be more effective than other samples. Moreover, an enhanced growth of Chlorella vulgaris could further be utilized as a potential biodiesel source.     

Energy-efficient cultivation of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for lipid accumulation under flashing illumination conditions

Microalgal cultivation has been limited by the efficiency and costs associated with providing light energy, the most expensive and essential element needed for microalgal growth to a culture, particularly to cultures grown in a photo bioreactor (PBR). This study examined the economic benefits of using flashing illumination conditions in the context of microalgal cultivation. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was cultivated under various conditions, including various inoculum sizes, light intensities, and durations of the light and dark periods. Our results showed that the highest microalgal growth efficiencies could be obtained using a large inoculum size under high intensity illumination accompanied by a 1:1 ratio of light and dark periods. The duration of the flashing light period was further optimized; permitting light energy savings of 62.5% of the light energy expended under continuous illumination conditions without reducing the biomass or lipid productivity. This study provides a more economical approach to cultivating C. reinhardtii via optimized flashing illumination without sacrificing microalgal growth or lipid content.