Thermal Reactor Model for Large-Scale Algae Cultivation in Vertical Flat Panel Photobioreactors

Christian H. Endres, Arne Roth, Thomas B. Brück

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelBegutachtung

25 Zitate (Scopus)

Abstract

Microalgae can grow significantly faster than terrestrial plants and are a promising feedstock for sustainable value added products encompassing pharmaceuticals, pigments, proteins and most prominently biofuels. As the biomass productivity of microalgae strongly depends on the cultivation temperature, detailed information on the reactor temperature as a function of time and geographical location is essential to evaluate the true potential of microalgae as an industrial feedstock. In the present study, a temperature model for an array of vertical flat plate photobioreactors is presented. It was demonstrated that mutual shading of reactor panels has a decisive effect on the reactor temperature. By optimizing distance and thickness of the panels, the occurrence of extreme temperatures and the amplitude of daily temperature fluctuations in the culture medium can be drastically reduced, while maintaining a high level of irradiation on the panels. The presented model was developed and applied to analyze the suitability of various climate zones for algae production in flat panel photobioreactors. Our results demonstrate that in particular Mediterranean and tropical climates represent favorable locations. Lastly, the thermal energy demand required for the case of active temperature control is determined for several locations. (Graph Presented).

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)3920-3927
Seitenumfang8
FachzeitschriftEnvironmental Science and Technology
Jahrgang50
Ausgabenummer7
DOIs
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 5 Apr. 2016

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