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Outdoor Cultivation of the Microalga Chlorella vulgaris in a New Photobioreactor Configuration: The Effect of Ultraviolet and Visible Radiation

Author

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  • Alcinda P. Lopes

    (LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
    Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering—Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • Francisca M. Santos

    (LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
    Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering—Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • Tânia F. C. V. Silva

    (Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering—Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • Vítor J. P. Vilar

    (Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering—Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • José C. M. Pires

    (LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Microalgae can be a future source of biomass with a wide range of applications, including its use to solve current environmental issues. One of the main variables for microalgal cultivation is the light supply: (i) its intensity that often does not present a uniform spatial distribution inside the culture; (ii) photoperiod; and (iii) spectrum. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the growth of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris in a tubular photobioreactor with compound parabolic collectors (CPCs) under outdoor conditions. The effect of ultraviolet and visible radiation on biomass productivity and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) uptake was assessed. The maximum biomass productivity was (5 ± 1) × 10 −3 g·L −1 ·h −1 , and the specific growth rates ranged from (1.1 ± 0.3) × 10 −2 to (2.0 ± 0.6) × 10 −2 h −1 . Regarding nutrient uptake, initial removal rates of (0.9 ± 0.4) mg N·L −1 ·h −1 for nitrogen and (0.17 ± 0.04) mg P·L −1 ·h −1 for phosphorus were reached. These values increased with visible and ultraviolet irradiance until certain values (143 W VIS ·m −2 and 9 W UV ·m −2 for biomass productivity; 101 W VIS ·m −2 and 6 W UV ·m −2 for nutrient removal) and then decreased for higher ones due to the photoinhibition phenomenon. Therefore, the application of CPCs to photobioreactors (PBRs) may be beneficial for microalgal culture in countries with higher latitude (with lower solar irradiance levels).

Suggested Citation

  • Alcinda P. Lopes & Francisca M. Santos & Tânia F. C. V. Silva & Vítor J. P. Vilar & José C. M. Pires, 2020. "Outdoor Cultivation of the Microalga Chlorella vulgaris in a New Photobioreactor Configuration: The Effect of Ultraviolet and Visible Radiation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:8:p:1962-:d:346206
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Slegers, P.M. & Wijffels, R.H. & van Straten, G. & van Boxtel, A.J.B., 2011. "Design scenarios for flat panel photobioreactors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(10), pages 3342-3353.
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    1. Nilay Kumar Sarker & Prasad Kaparaju, 2023. "A Critical Review on the Status and Progress of Microalgae Cultivation in Outdoor Photobioreactors Conducted over 35 Years (1986–2021)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-32, March.

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