A comprehensive review on effective parameters on microalgae productivity and carbon capture rate

Rising carbon emissions caused by population growth and industrialization is a significant environmental challenge in various countries. To combat this issue, Renewable Energy (RE) and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies should be commercialized to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and generate carbon-free energy. One such technology is the use of microalgae, which can directly capture CO2 from the air through photosynthesis and potentially produce biofuels due to their high energy content. However, the carbon capture rate of microalgae varies globally due to numerous parameters and variables affecting microalgae productivity. Additionally, microalgae productivity and carbon capture formulas yield different results worldwide, especially in outdoor industrial-scale cultivation. This research aims to comprehensively review the effective variables and parameters in carbon capture by microalgae based on microalgae productivity and carbon capture formulas. The research also ranked countries based on CO2 production in four different categories to determine whether the biggest carbon producer countries could exhibit suitable weather conditions for microalgae cultivation. Findings reveal optimal ranges of critical variables in the microalgae growth formula, including temperature, solar radiation intensity, Photon Flux Density (PFD), and sunlight duration. The study also analyzes microalgae cultivation, carbon capture, and oxygen production formula in different systems such as Open Ponds (OP), Tubular Photobioreactors (TPBR), and Flat Plate Photobioreactors (FPPBR), while discussing other influential parameters. In conclusion, emphasizing the adjustment and utilization of optimal values of effective parameters in microalgae cultivation not only holds promise for future carbon capture by microalgae but also pushes human beings toward sustainable development goals.

Influence of light absorption rate on the astaxanthin production by the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis during nitrogen starvation

Large amounts of astaxanthin (about 4% DW) can be produced under nitrogen starvation of Haematococcus pluvialis in photobioreactors (PBRs) exposed to high light conditions to induce a light stress. However, in PBR, the large biomass concentration usually achieved leads to strong light attenuation conditions, which makes complex the analysis of this "light stress". This study aims to elucidate the role of light transfer in astaxanthin cell content and productivity from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis during nitrogen starvation. Haematococcus pluvialis was cultivated in a flat-panel PBR in a batch mode with sudden nitrogen starvation conditions and an incident photon flux density (PFD) of 250 µmolhν m-2 s-1. Different initial biomass concentrations ( C x 0 ) were evaluated, 0.21, 0.52, 1.39 and 2.21 kg m-3. As a result, spectral mass absorption cross-sections of Haematococcus pluvialis were measured at different times during nitrogen starvation, and were used to relate the mean rate of photon absorption (MRPA) to the astaxanthin productivity. A minimum initial MRPA of 7000 ± 500 µmolhν kgx-1 s-1 was found necessary to trigger large accumulation of astaxanthin in Haematococcus pluvialis cells (up to 3.21% DW) during nitrogen starvation conditions. The results also demonstrated the link between the MRPA and the daily astaxanthin productivity of Haematococcus pluvialis cultures, introducing then the MRPA as a physical quantity of interest for a rational optimization of the light culture conditions in PBRs.

Modeling and Simulation of Photobioreactors with Computational Fluid Dynamics—A Comprehensive Review

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) have been frequently applied to model the growth conditions in photobioreactors, which are affected in a complex way by multiple, interacting physical processes. We review common photobioreactor types and discuss the processes occurring therein as well as how these processes have been considered in previous CFD models. The analysis reveals that CFD models of photobioreactors do often not consider state-of-the-art modeling approaches. As a comprehensive photobioreactor model consists of several sub-models, we review the most relevant models for the simulation of fluid flows, light propagation, heat and mass transfer and growth kinetics as well as state-of-the-art models for turbulence and interphase forces, revealing their strength and deficiencies. In addition, we review the population balance equation, breakage and coalescence models and discretization methods since the predicted bubble size distribution critically depends on them. This comprehensive overview of the available models provides a unique toolbox for generating CFD models of photobioreactors. Directions future research should take are also discussed, mainly consisting of an extensive experimental validation of the single models for specific photobioreactor geometries, as well as more complete and sophisticated integrated models by virtue of the constant increase of the computational capacity.

Investigation of the photosynthetic response of Chlorella vulgaris to light changes in a torus-shape photobioreactor

An efficient use of light is essential to achieve good performances in microalgae cultivation systems. This can be challenging particularly under solar conditions where light is highly dynamic (e.g., day/night cycles, rapid changes in wind and weather conditions). Microalgae display different mechanisms to optimize light use efficiency. In the short term, when high light is encountered, several processes of photoprotection can be involved to avoid cell damages (e.g., xanthophyll cycle). In the long term, when cells are exposed to a different light intensity, pigment content changes, i.e., photoacclimation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the photosynthetic response of Chlorella vulgaris cultures grown in closed lab-scale, torus-shape photobioreactor under well-controlled light conditions, namely, constant and dynamic light transitions. Experiments were conducted in continuous mode with detailed characterization of the light attenuation conditions for each condition, as represented by the mean rate of photon absorption (MRPA), so as to characterize the time responses of the photosynthetic cells toward light changes. This enables to observe short-term and long-term responses with their own characteristic times. The mechanisms involved were found to be different between increasing and decreasing light transitions. Furthermore the MRPA was found a valuable parameter to relate the effect of light to biological responses (i.e., pigment changes) under constant light and dynamic light conditions.Key points• MRPA proved valuable to relate C. vulgaris responses to light changes.• A linear evolution was found between pigment content and MRPA in continuous light.• A rising PFD step induced fast protection and acclimation mechanisms.

Impact of Dropwise Condensation on the Biomass Production Rate in Covered Raceway Ponds

This study investigates the effect of condensed water droplets on the areal biomass productivity of outdoor culture systems with a free surface, protected by a transparent window or cover to prevent contamination and to control the growth conditions. Under solar radiation, evaporation from the culture causes droplets to condense on the interior surface of the cover. To quantify the effect of droplets on the system’s performance, the bidirectional transmittance of a droplet-covered window was predicted using the Monte Carlo ray-tracing method. It was combined with a growth kinetics model of Chlorella vulgaris to predict the temporal evolution of the biomass concentration on 21 June and 23 September in Los Angeles, CA. A droplet contact angle of 30∘ or 90∘ and a surface area coverage of 50% or 90% were considered. Light scattering by the condensed droplets changed the direction of the incident sunlight while reducing the amount of light reaching the culture by up to 37%. The combined effect decreased the daily areal biomass productivity with increasing droplet contact angle and surface area coverage by as much as 18%. Furthermore, the areal biomass productivity of the system was found to scale with the ratio X0/a of the initial biomass concentration X0 and the specific illuminated area a, as previously established for different photobioreactor geometries, but even in the presence of droplets. Finally, for a given day of the year, the optical thickness of the culture that yielded the maximum productivity was independent of the window condition. Thus, the design and operation of such a system should focus on maintaining a small droplet contact angle and surface area coverage and an optimum optical thickness to maximize productivity.

A review on photobioreactor design and modelling for microalgae production

From the cell to the photobioreactor and to the industrial exploitation of microalgae, through the controlled experiments and modelling.

Integration of Microalgae Cultivation in a Biogas Production Process from Organic Municipal Solid Waste: From Laboratory to Pilot Scale

In this study, the feasibility of integrating microalgae cultivation in a biogas production process that treats the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) was investigated. In particular, the biomass growth performances in the liquid fraction of the digestate, characterized by high ammonia concentrations and turbidity, were assessed together with the nutrient removal efficiency. Preliminary laboratory-scale experiments were first carried out in photobioreactors operating in a continuous mode (Continuous-flow Stirred-Tank Reactor, CSTR), to gain preliminary data aimed at aiding the subsequent scaling up to a pilot scale facility. An outdoor experimental campaign, operated from July to October 2019, was then performed in a pilot scale raceway pond (4.5 m2), located in Arzignano (VI), Italy, to assess the performances under real environmental conditions. The results show that microalgae could grow well in this complex substrate, although dilution was necessary to enhance light penetration in the culture. In outdoor conditions, nitrification by autotrophic bacteria appeared to be significant, while the photosynthetic nitrogen removal was around 12% with respect to the inlet. On the other hand, phosphorus was almost completely removed from the medium under all the conditions tested, and a biomass production between 2–7 g m−2 d−1 was obtained.

Control schemes for a complex biorefinery plant for bioenergy and biobased products

This work proposes innovative feedback control schemes for a complex biorefinery plant which contains two continuous bioreactors: an anaerobic digester and a photobioreactor. The anaerobic digester is used to decompose organic matter inside a wastewater treatment process, the most useful final product being biogas/methane. The photobioreactor is used for a microalgae photosynthetic growth process where some components with added value are produced, and bio-mitigation of the carbon dioxide emissions is achieved. By using realistic models of the anaerobic digester and of the photobioreactor, novel adaptive and robust control schemes are designed. These proposed structures contain linearizing controllers, state observers and parameter estimators for the bioprocess unknown kinetics. The control designs are validated via numerical simulations that consider several realistic restrictions and disturbances which act on the process: unavailability of some biological variables, unknown and time-varying reaction kinetics, uncertain and time-varying influent flow rates, noisy measurements.

Effect of Light Intensity and Quality on Growth Rate and Composition of Chlorella vulgaris

In this research, the effect of solar irradiance on Chlorella vulgaris cultivated in open bioreactors under greenhouse conditions was investigated, as well as of ratio of light intensity in the 420–520 nm range to light in the 580–680 nm range (I_420–520/I_580–680) and of artificial irradiation provided by red and white LED lamps in a closed flat plate laboratory bioreactor on the growth rate and composition. The increase in solar irradiance led to faster growth rates (μ_exp) of C. vulgaris under both environmental conditions studied in the greenhouse (in June up to 0.33 d⁻¹ and in September up to 0.29 d⁻¹) and higher lipid content in microalgal biomass (in June up to 25.6% and in September up to 24.7%). In the experiments conducted in the closed bioreactor, as the ratio I_420–520/I_580–680 increased, the specific growth rate and the biomass, protein and lipid productivities increased as well. Additionally, the increase in light intensity with red and white LED lamps resulted in faster growth rates (the μ_exp increased up to 0.36 d⁻¹) and higher lipid content (up to 22.2%), while the protein, fiber, ash and moisture content remained relatively constant. Overall, the trend in biomass, lipid, and protein productivities as a function of light intensity was similar in the two systems (greenhouse and bioreactor).

Microalgal kinetics - a guideline for photobioreactor design and process development

Kinetics generally describes bio‐(chemical) reaction rates in dependence on substrate concentrations. Kinetics for microalgae is often adapted from heterotrophs and lacks mechanistic foundation, e.g. for light harvesting. Using and understanding kinetic equations as the representation of intracellular mechanisms is essential for reasonable comparisons and simulations of growth behavior. Summarizing growth kinetics in one equation does not yield reliable models. Piecewise linear or rational functions may mimic photosynthesis irradiance response curves, but fail to represent the mechanisms. Our modeling approach for photoautotrophic growth comprises physical and kinetic modules with mechanistic foundation extracted from the literature. Splitting the light submodel into the modules for light distribution, light absorption, and photosynthetic sugar production with independent parameters allows the transfer of kinetics between different reactor designs. The consecutive anabolism depends among others on nutrient concentrations. The nutrient uptake kinetics largely impacts carbon partitioning in the reviewed stoichiometry range of cellular constituents. Consecutive metabolic steps mask each other and demand a maximum value understandable as the minimum principle of growth. These fundamental modules need to be clearly distinguished, but may be modified or extended based on process conditions and progress in research. First, discussion of kinetics helps to understand the physiological situation, for which ranges of parameter values are given. Second, kinetics should be used for photobioreactor design, but also for gassing and nutrient optimization. Numerous examples are given for both aspects. Finally, measuring kinetics more comprehensively and precisely will help in improved process development.

Effect of design dark fraction on the loss of biomass productivities in photobioreactors

Design dark fraction reflects the unlit part of a microalgal culture system, as for example a hydraulic loop used for temperature or pH regulation, or a circulating pump for mixing purposes. This study investigates the impact of design dark fraction on photosynthetic biomass productivity of the eukaryotic microalgae Chlorella vulgaris. The effect of the volume of the dark fraction and the residence time spent in this dark fraction was investigated with two different nitrogen sources (N-NH₄⁺, N-NO₃^-). Results showed a decrease of biomass productivity when the volume of the dark fraction and the dark residence time increased. Up to 47% loss of biomass productivity could be reached for a design dark fraction [Formula: see text] = 30% of the total culture system volume. This loss was explained as a result of metabolic reactions related to an increase of respiration activity or a decrease of photosynthetic activity in the cells.

Can spherical eukaryotic microalgae cells be treated as optically homogeneous?

This study aims to answer the question of whether spherical unicellular photoautotrophic eukaryotic microalgae cells, consisting of various intracellular compartments with their respective optical properties, can be modeled as homogeneous spheres with some effective complex index of refraction. The spectral radiation characteristics in the photosynthetically active region of a spherical heterogeneous microalgae cell, representative of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and consisting of spherical compartments corresponding to the cell wall, cytoplasm, chloroplast, nucleus, and mitochondria, were estimated using the superposition T-matrix method. The effects of the presence of intracellular lipids and/or starch accumulation caused by stresses, such as nitrogen limitation, were explored. Predictions by the T-matrix method were qualitatively and quantitatively consistent with experimental measurements for various microalgae species. The volume-equivalent homogeneous sphere approximation with volume-averaged effective complex index of refraction gave accurate estimates of the spectral (i) absorption and (ii) scattering cross sections of the heterogeneous cells under both nitrogen-replete and nitrogen-limited conditions. In addition, the effect of a strongly refracting cell wall, representative of Chlorella vulgaris, was investigated. In this case, for the purpose of predicting their integral radiation characteristics, the microalgae should be represented as a coated sphere with a coating corresponding to the cell wall and a homogeneous core with volume-averaged complex index of refraction for the rest of the cell. However, both homogeneous sphere and coated sphere approximations predicted strong resonances in the scattering phase function and spectral backscattering cross section that were not observed in that of the heterogeneous cells.

Coupling a simple irradiance description to a mechanistic growth model to predict algal production in industrial-scale solar-powered photobioreactors

Various innovative photobioreactor designs have been proposed to increase production of algae-derived biomass. Computer models are often employed to test these designs prior to construction. In the drive to optimise conversion of light energy to biomass, efforts to model the profile of irradiance levels within a microalgal culture can lead to highly complex descriptions which are computationally demanding. However, there is a risk that this effort is wasted if such optic models are coupled to overly simplified descriptions of algal physiology. Here we demonstrate that a suitable description of microalgal physiology is of primary significance for modelling algal production in photobioreactors. For the first time, we combine a new and computationally inexpensive model of irradiance to a mechanistic description of algal growth and test its applicability to modelling biofuel production in an advanced photobioreactor system. We confirm the adequacy of our approach by comparing the predictions of the model against published experimental data collected over a 2 ½-year period and demonstrate the effectiveness of the mechanistic model in predicting long-term production rates of bulk biomass and biofuel feedstock components at a commercially relevant scale. Our results suggest that much of the detail captured in more complicated irradiance models is indeed wasted as the critical limiting procedure is the physiological description of the conversion of light energy to biomass.

Noble metal, oxide and chalcogenide-based nanomaterials from scalable phototrophic culture systems

Phototrophic cell or tissue cultures can produce nanostructured noble metals, oxides and chalcogenides at ambient temperatures and pressures in an aqueous environment and without the need for potentially toxic solvents or the generation of dangerous waste products. These "green" synthesized nanobiomaterials can be used to fabricate biosensors and bio-reporting tools, theranostic vehicles, medical imaging agents, as well as tissue engineering scaffolds and biomaterials. While successful at the lab and experimental scales, significant barriers still inhibit the development of higher capacity processes. While scalability issues in traditional algal bioprocess engineering are well known, such as the controlled delivery of photons and gas-exchange, the large-scale algal synthesis of nanomaterials introduces additional parameters to be understood, i.e., nanoparticle (NP) formation kinetics and mechanisms, biological transport of metal cations and the effect of environmental conditions on the final form of the NPs. Only after a clear understanding of the kinetics and mechanisms can the strain selection, photobioreactor type, medium pH and ionic strength, mean light intensity and other relevant parameters be specified for an optimal bioprocess. To this end, this mini-review will examine the current best practices and understanding of these phenomena to establish a path forward for this technology.

Optimization of CO₂ fixation by Chlorella kessleri cultivated in a closed raceway photo-bioreactor

The aim of this study is to optimize biological fixation of CO2 using Chlorella kessleri cultivated in oil sands process water (OSPW). A lab-scale closed raceway photobioreactor was designed and assembled for cultivation of C. kessleri in OSPW. A fed-batch model describing the dynamics of microalgae growth and CO2, phosphate and ammonium uptake rate was developed based on batch kinetics identified in our previous study, and was successfully validated against experimental data. A model-based optimization method was used to calculate the optimal feeding strategies for CO2, phosphate and light intensity which resulted in a 1.5-fold increase in the final biomass concentration and a 2-fold increase in the average CO2 uptake rate in 240 h (10 days) compared to the initial fed-batch experiment over 432 h (18 days). Finally, scale-up to large-scale continuous operation was considered, and the optimal hydraulic retention time (HRT) and feeding strategy for maximum productivity were estimated.

Microplate-based method for high-throughput screening of microalgae growth potential

Microalgae cultivation conditions in microplates will differ from large-scale photobioreactors in crucial parameters such as light profile, mixing and gas transfer. Hence volumetric productivity (P(v)) measurements made in microplates cannot be directly scaled up. Here we demonstrate that it is possible to use microplates to measure characteristic exponential growth rates and determine the specific growth rate light intensity dependency (μ-I curve), which is useful as the key input for several models that predict P(v). Nannochloropsis salina and Chlorella sorokiniana specific growth rates were measured by repeated batch culture in microplates supplied with continuous light at different intensities. Exponential growth unlimited by gas transfer or self-shading was observable for a period of several days using fluorescence, which is an order of magnitude more sensitive than optical density. The microplate datasets were comparable to similar datasets obtained in photobioreactors and were used an input for the Huesemann model to accurately predict P(v).

Influence of light absorption rate by Nannochloropsis oculata on triglyceride production during nitrogen starvation

This study aims to understand the role of light transfer in triglyceride fatty-acid (TG-FA) cell content and productivity from microalgae during nitrogen starvation. Large amounts of TG-FA can be produced via nitrogen starvation of microalgae in photobioreactors exposed to intense light. First, spectral absorption and scattering cross-sections of N. oculata were measured at different times during nitrogen starvation. They were used to relate the mean volumetric rate of energy absorption (MVREA) per unit mass of microalgae to the TG-FA productivity and cell content. TG-FA productivity correlated with the MVREA and reached a maximum for MVREA of 13 μmol hν/gs. This indicated that TG-FA synthesis was limited by the photon absorption rate in the PBR. A minimum MVREA of 13 μmol hν/gs was also necessary at the onset of nitrogen starvation to trigger large accumulation of TG-FA in cells. These results will be instrumental in defining protocols for TG-FA production in scaled-up photobioreactors.

On-line modeling intracellular carbon and energy metabolism of Nannochloropsis sp. in nitrogen-repletion and nitrogen-limitation cultures

In this study, a photobioreactor cultivation system and a calculation method for on-line monitoring of carbon and energy metabolism of microalgae were developed using Nannochloropsis sp. in nitrogen-repletion and nitrogen-limitation cultures. Only 30-60% of carbon fixed in Calvin cycle was used for biomass and the rest was lost in light respiration. The net fixed carbon was assumed to be incorporated into protein, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids, whose contents calculated on-line fitted well with the experimental measurements. Intracellular ATPs were quantitatively divided for biomass production and cell maintenance, and the result is in accordance with known reports. Due to light limitation induced by high cell concentration in batch cultures, the proportion of CO2 loss in light respiration and the proportion of energy for maintenance rapidly increased in culturing process. Nitrogen starvation reduced the light respiration, thus decreasing CO2 loss and maintenance energy, but no effect on ATP requirement for cell growth.

Induction of canthaxanthin production in a Dactylococcus microalga isolated from the Algerian Sahara

Secondary carotenoids are high-valued anti-oxidants which can be produced by some algae when exposed to an environmental stress (e.g. nutrient deprivation, high light intensities). To this end, we characterized the stress-induced carotenoid production of a new microalgal strain, Dactylococcus dissociatus MT1, which was isolated from the Sahara Desert of Algeria. Nitrate starvation, oxidative stress and varying light intensities were applied to determine the effect of illumination on carotenogenesis. Canthaxanthin was the main secondary carotenoid and light intensity had an important influence on the rate of its accumulation. The addition of NaCl also enhanced canthaxanthin production while nitrate depletion had more of an effect on lipid production. However, these two stresses in combination synergistically increased the production of both. Our results represent a step toward the development of strains suitable for secondary carotenoid production at the industrial scale.

Investigation and modeling of biomass decay rate in the dark and its potential influence on net productivity of solar photobioreactors for microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis

Biomass decay rate (BDR) in the dark was investigated for Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (microalga) and Arthrospira platensis (cyanobacterium). A specific setup based on a torus photobioreactor with online gas analysis was validated, enabling us to follow the time course of the specific BDR using oxygen monitoring and mass balance. Various operating parameters that could limit respiration rates, such as culture temperature and oxygen deprivation, were then investigated. C. reinhardtii was found to present a higher BDR in the dark than A. platensis, illustrating here the difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. In both cases, temperature proved an influential parameter, and the Arrhenius law was found to efficiently relate specific BDR to culture temperature. The utility of decreasing temperature at night to increase biomass productivity in a solar photobioreactor is also illustrated.