Evaluation of carbon dioxide mass transfer in raceway reactors for microalgae culture using flue gases

•Carbon supply is a major factor limiting the productivity of raceway reactors.•Optimal design allows using more than 90% of CO2 contained into flue gases.•Carbon losses in raceway reactors are mainly related with exhaust of culture broth. Mass transfer of CO2 from flue gas was quantified in a 100m2...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bioresource technology 2014-02, Vol.153, p.307-314
Main Authors: de Godos, I., Mendoza, J.L., Acién, F.G., Molina, E., Banks, C.J., Heaven, S., Rogalla, F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
Biological and medical sciences
Bioreactors - microbiology
Carbon
Carbon - pharmacology
Carbon dioxide
Carbon Dioxide - isolation & purification
Carbon Dioxide - pharmacology
Carbonation
Cell Culture Techniques - instrumentation
Cell Culture Techniques - methods
CO2 removal
Culture
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration - drug effects
Liquids
Mass transfer
Microalgae - drug effects
Microalgae - growth & development
Microalgae culture
Raceway reactors
Rheology - drug effects
Sumps
Time Factors
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:•Carbon supply is a major factor limiting the productivity of raceway reactors.•Optimal design allows using more than 90% of CO2 contained into flue gases.•Carbon losses in raceway reactors are mainly related with exhaust of culture broth. Mass transfer of CO2 from flue gas was quantified in a 100m2 raceway. The carbonation sump was operated with and without a baffle at different liquid/gas ratios, with the latter having the greatest influence on CO2 recovery from the flue gas. A rate of mass transfer sufficient to meet the demands of an actively growing algal culture was best achieved by maintaining pH at ∼8. Full optimisation of the process required both pH control and selection of the best liquid/gas flow ratio. A carbon transfer rate of 10gCmin−1 supporting an algal productivity of 17gm−2day−1 was achieved with only 4% direct loss of CO2 in the sump. 66% of the carbon was incorporated into biomass, while 6% was lost by outgassing and the remainder as dissolved carbon in the liquid phase. Use of a sump baffle required additional power without significantly improving carbon mass transfer.
ISSN:0960-8524
1873-2976
DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2013.11.087