Journal article
Batch and semi-continuous microalgal TAG production in lab-scale and outdoor photobioreactors
Journal of applied phycology, Vol.28(6), pp.3167-3177
12/01/2016
DOI: 10.1007/s10811-016-0897-1
PMCID: PMC5155026
PMID: 28035172
Abstract
Microalgal triglycerides (TAGs) represent a sustainable feedstock for food, chemical and biofuel industries. The operational strategy (batch, semi-continuous, continuous cultivations) has an impact on the TAG productivity. In this study, semi-continuous (i.e. with fixed harvesting frequency) and batch cultivations were compared on TAG production both at lab-scale and in outdoor cultivations. At lab-scale, the semi-continuous TAG productivity was highest for a cycle time of 2 days (SC1; 0.21 g L-1 day(-1)) and similar to the maximum obtained with the batch (optimal harvest time; 0.23 g L-1 day(-1)). Although TAG content was lower for SC1 (22 %) than for the batch (35 %), higher biomass productivities were obtained with SC1. Outdoors, semi-continuous cultivations were subjected to a lower degree of stress (i.e. higher amount of nitrogen present in the system relative to the given irradiance) compared to lab-scale. This yielded low and similar TAG contents (10-13 %) in the different semi-continuous runs that were outdone by the batch on both TAG content (15-25 %) and productivity (batch, 0.97-2.46 g m(-2) day(-1); semi-continuous, 0.35-0.85 g m(-2) day(-1)). The lab-scale experiments showed that semi-continuous strategies, besides leading to similar TAG productivities compared to the batch, could make TAG production cost effective by valorising also non-TAG compounds. However, optimization of outdoor semi-continuous cultivations is still required. For instance, the nitrogen supply and the harvest frequency should be adjusted on the total irradiance. Additionally, future research should focus on recovery metabolism upon nitrogen resupply.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Batch and semi-continuous microalgal TAG production in lab-scale and outdoor photobioreactors
- Creators
- Giulia Benvenuti - Wageningen University & ResearchRouke Bosma - Wageningen University & ResearchFang Ji - China Agricultural UniversityPacko Lamers - Wageningen University & ResearchMaria J. Barbosa - Wageningen Univ, AlgaePARC, Bioproc Engn, POB 16, NL-6700 AA Wageningen, NetherlandsRene H. Wijffels - Bioprocess Engineering, AlgaePARC, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands ; Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nordland University, N-8049 Bodø, Norway.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of applied phycology, Vol.28(6), pp.3167-3177
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10811-016-0897-1
- PMID
- 28035172
- PMCID
- PMC5155026
- NLM abbreviation
- J Appl Phycol
- ISSN
- 0921-8971
- eISSN
- 1573-5176
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- BioOils DSM Staatsolie Suriname Synthetic Genomics TOTAL; Total SA SABIC Biosolar Cells Paques Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation Simris Alg Province of Gelderland Exxon Mobil; Exxon Mobil Corporation Drie Wilgen Development Nijhuis Cellulac Proviron Neste GEA Westfalia Separator Heliae Roquette BASF Unilever
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/01/2016
- Academic Unit
- International Programs; Spanish and Portuguese
- Record Identifier
- 9984397922702771
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