An efficient Photobioreactors/Raceway circulating system combined with alkaline-CO2 capturing medium for microalgal cultivation

Abstract

High efficiency of microalgal growth and CO2 fixation in a Photobioreactors (PBRs)/Raceway circulating (PsRC) system combined with alkaline-CO2 capturing medium and operation was established and investigated. Compared with a pH 6 medium, the average biomass productivity of Chlorella sp. AT1 cultured in a pH 11 medium at 2L min(-1) circulation rate for 7 days increased by about 2-fold to 0.346g L-1 d(-1). The maximum amount of CO2 fixation and CO2 utilization efficiency of Chlorella sp. AT1 could be obtained at a PBRs to Raceway ratio of 1:10 in an indoor-simulated PsRC system. A similar result was also shown in an outdoor PsRC system with a 10-ton scale for microalgal cultivation. Under the appropriate circulation rate, the stable growth performance of Chlorella sp. AT1 cultured by long-term semi-continuous operation in the 10-ton outdoor PsRC system was observed, and the total amount of CO2 fixation was approximately 1.2kg d(-1) with 50% CO2 utilization efficiency.