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Efficient Production of Microalgal Biomass—Step by Step to Industrial Scale

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  • Małgorzata Hawrot-Paw

    (Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Management and Agriculture, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Pawla VI 1, 71-459 Szczecin, Poland)

  • Patryk Ratomski

    (Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Management and Agriculture, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Pawla VI 1, 71-459 Szczecin, Poland)

Abstract

The production of microalgal biomass on a commercial scale remains a significant challenge. Despite the positive results obtained in the laboratory, there are difficulties in obtaining similar results in industrial photobioreactors. Changing the cultivation conditions can affect not only the growth of microalgae but also their metabolism. This is of particular importance for the use of biomass for bioenergy production, including biofuel production. The aim of this study was to determine the biomass production efficiency of selected microalgal strains, depending on the capacity of the photobioreactor. The lipid and ash content of the biomass were also taken into account. It was found that as the scale of production increased, the amount of biomass decreased, irrespective of the type of strain. The change in scale also affected the lipid content of the biomass. The highest values were found in 2.5 L photobioreactors (ranging from 26.3 ± 2.2% for Monoraphidium to 13.9 ± 0.3% for Chlorella vulgaris ). The least favourable conditions were found with industrial photobioreactors, where the lipid content of the microalgal biomass ranged from 7.1 ± 0.6% for Oocycstis submarina to 10.2 ± 1.2% for Chlorella fusca . The increase in photobioreactor capacity had a negative effect on the ash content.

Suggested Citation

  • Małgorzata Hawrot-Paw & Patryk Ratomski, 2024. "Efficient Production of Microalgal Biomass—Step by Step to Industrial Scale," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:4:p:944-:d:1340732
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Małgorzata Hawrot-Paw & Patryk Ratomski & Adam Koniuszy & Wojciech Golimowski & Mirosława Teleszko & Anna Grygier, 2021. "Fatty Acid Profile of Microalgal Oils as a Criterion for Selection of the Best Feedstock for Biodiesel Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Małgorzata Hawrot-Paw & Magdalena Sąsiadek, 2023. "Optimization of Microalgal Biomass Production in Vertical Tubular Photobioreactors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-14, March.
    3. Amaro, Helena M. & Guedes, A. Catarina & Malcata, F. Xavier, 2011. "Advances and perspectives in using microalgae to produce biodiesel," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(10), pages 3402-3410.
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