Analysis and design of photobioreactors (PBRs) for the production of biomass and high-value metabolites derived from microalgae.

IGNACIO NIIZAWA; JOSUE MIGUEL HEINRICH; FAUSTO ADRIÁN BOTTA; IGNACIO FERRERO; ALEJANDRO RAÚL TROMBERT; HORACIO ANTONIO IRAZOQUI

BERLIN

Conferencia; 19th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition; 2011

The term “microalgae” includes microscopic algae (eukaryotic organisms) and cyanobacteria (oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria). Microalgal biomass has recently received considerable attention as it is regarded as a potential source of biofuels. Compared with vascular plants, microalgae show a higher photosynthetic efficiency. A PBR is a system that uses light –natural or artificial- to grow algae via the photosynthetic mode of cultivation. The purpose of the work is to present and apply a methodology which provides PBRs mathematical models that permit an a priori and rigorous design of reactors. Thus, from laboratory data, the scale-up can be performed with no limitations in the size or shape of a large scale application. This modeling approach of PBRs is derived from biochemical reaction engineering principles and radiative energy transport fundamentals. The first reaction of photosynthesis depend on light quantity (intensity) and quality (specific wavelengths) and these parameters are critical because at a certain level algae experience light saturation. The analytic procedure is illustrated by presenting the modeling of a batch annular PBR that is used in order to obtain the kinetic parameters. The design procedure is illustrated by presenting the modeling of the same PBR that is used in a predictive mode. In order to formulate the photosynthetic reaction rate properly, the radiative transfer equation applied to a participating, reactive and heterogeneous medium is presented.