A novel tubular photobioreactor immersed in open waters for passive temperature control and operated with the microalga Tetradesmus obliquus

Journal
Algal Research  
Volume
67
Article Number
102832
Citation
Algal Research 67: 102832 (2022-09)
Publisher DOI
10.1016/j.algal.2022.102832
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85137633912
Temperature control of outdoor photobioreactors is mandatory for stable microalgal growth rates. The large necessity of water and energy, however, imposes economic and ecologic drawbacks. A novel floating tubular photobioreactor, placed horizontally on a channel outdoors is presented in this study. It is equipped with a technology allowing variable immersion of the transparent parts into the water for passive temperature control. The photobioreactor was operated in three subsequent cycles with the microalga Tetradesmus obliquus. The horizontal immersion of 50 % of the photobioreactor tubes at high ambient temperatures up to 38.9 °C prevented the photobioreactor from temperature peaks above 33.5 °C without any energy input for cooling. While operating the photobioreactor without cooling through immersion the culture temperature exceeded the ambient temperature constantly during afternoon hours. The realised cultivations were stable and productivities from 161 mg L−1 day−1 to 230 mg L−1 day−1 were recorded. The harvested biomass contained up to 49.8 ± 0.8 % DW protein and 21.0 ± 2.0 % DW lipids with a high fraction of α-linolenic acid.
Subjects
Floating photobioreactor
Microalgae cultivation
Surface water cooling
Temperature control
Tetradesmus obliquus