Microalgae bulk growth model with application to industrial scale systems

The scalability of microalgae growth systems is a primary research topic in anticipation of the commercialization of microalgae-based biofuels. To date, there is little published data on the productivity of microalgae in growth systems that are scalable to commercially viable footprints. To inform t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bioresource technology 2011-04, Vol.102 (8), p.5083-5092
Main Authors: Quinn, Jason, de Winter, Lenneke, Bradley, Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorption
acclimation
Algae
algae growth
Assessments
biodiesel production
Biofuel
Biofuel production
Biological and medical sciences
Biomass
Biotechnology
carbon-sources
Computer simulation
Construction industry
Energy
Footprints
Fuels
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects
Life-cycle assessment
light
Lipids
Mathematical models
Microalgae - growth & development
Microalgae - metabolism
Microalgae - physiology
Modeling
Models, Biological
nannochloropsis sp
Nitrogen - metabolism
optimization
Outdoor
Photobioreactor
Photosynthesis
phytoplankton growth
Productivity
Temperature
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Summary:The scalability of microalgae growth systems is a primary research topic in anticipation of the commercialization of microalgae-based biofuels. To date, there is little published data on the productivity of microalgae in growth systems that are scalable to commercially viable footprints. To inform the development of more detailed assessments of industrial-scale microalgae biofuel processes, this paper presents the construction and validation of a model of microalgae biomass and lipid accumulation in an outdoor, industrial-scale photobioreactor. The model incorporates a time-resolved simulation of microalgae growth and lipid accumulation based on solar irradiation, species specific characteristics, and photobioreactor geometry. The model is validated with 9weeks of growth data from an industrially-scaled outdoor photobioreactor. Discussion focuses on the sensitivity of the model input parameters, a comparison of predicted microalgae productivity to the literature, and an analysis of the implications of this more detailed growth model on microalgae biofuels lifecycle assessment studies.
ISSN:0960-8524
1873-2976
DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2011.01.019