1
|
Barboza-Rodríguez R, Rodríguez-Jasso RM, Rosero-Chasoy G, Rosales Aguado ML, Ruiz HA. Photobioreactor configurations in cultivating microalgae biomass for biorefinery. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 394:130208. [PMID: 38113947 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.130208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae, highly prized for their protein, lipid, carbohydrate, phycocyanin, and carotenoid-rich biomass, have garnered significant industrial attention in the context of third-generation (3G) biorefineries, seeking sustainable alternatives to non-renewable resources. Two primarily cultivation methods, open ponds and closed photobioreactors systems, have emerged. Open ponds, favored for their cost-effectiveness in large-scale industrial production, although lacking precise environmental control, contrast with closed photobioreactors, offering controlled conditions and enhanced biomass production at the laboratory scale. However, their high operational costs challenge large-scale deployment. This review comprehensively examines the strength, weakness, and typical designs of both outdoor and indoor microalgae cultivation systems, with an emphasis on their application in terms of biorefinery concept. Additionally, it incorporates techno-economic analyses, providing insights into the financial aspects of microalgae biomass production. These multifaceted insights, encompassing both technological and economic dimensions, are important as the global interest in harnessing microalgae's valuable resources continue to grow.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Regina Barboza-Rodríguez
- Biorefinery Group, Food Research Department, School of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Coahuila, 25280 Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - Rosa M Rodríguez-Jasso
- Biorefinery Group, Food Research Department, School of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Coahuila, 25280 Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico.
| | - Gilver Rosero-Chasoy
- Biorefinery Group, Food Research Department, School of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Coahuila, 25280 Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - Miriam L Rosales Aguado
- Biorefinery Group, Food Research Department, School of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Coahuila, 25280 Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - Héctor A Ruiz
- Biorefinery Group, Food Research Department, School of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Coahuila, 25280 Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhu C, Hu C, Wang J, Chen Y, Zhao Y, Chi Z. A precise microalgae farming for CO 2 sequestration: A critical review and perspectives. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 901:166013. [PMID: 37541491 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae are great candidates for CO2 sequestration and sustainable production of food, feed, fuels and biochemicals. Light intensity, temperature, carbon supply, and cell physiological state are key factors of photosynthesis, and efficient phototrophic production of microalgal biomass occurs only when all these factors are in their optimal range simultaneously. However, this synergistic state is often not achievable due to the ever-changing environmental factors such as sunlight and temperature, which results in serious waste of sunlight energy and other resources, ultimately leading to high production costs. Most control strategies developed thus far in the bioengineering field actually aim to improve heterotrophic processes, but phototrophic processes face a completely different problem. Hence, an alternative control strategy needs to be developed, and precise microalgal cultivation is a promising strategy in which the production resources are precisely supplied according to the dynamic changes in key factors such as sunlight and temperature. In this work, the development and recent progress of precise microalgal phototrophic cultivation are reviewed. The key environmental and cultivation factors and their dynamic effects on microalgal cultivation are analyzed, including microalgal growth, cultivation costs and energy inputs. Future research for the development of more precise microalgae farming is discussed. This study provides new insight into developing cost-effective and efficient microalgae farming for CO2 sequestration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chenba Zhu
- Carbon Neutral Innovation Research Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Chen Hu
- College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Jialin Wang
- Carbon Neutral Innovation Research Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Yimin Chen
- Environmental and Ecological Engineering Technology Center, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Yunpeng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of Technology, No.26 Yucai Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo 315016, China.
| | - Zhanyou Chi
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of Technology, No.26 Yucai Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo 315016, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
A Thermosiphon Photobioreactor for Photofermentative Hydrogen Production by Rhodopseudomonas palustris. BIOENGINEERING (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:bioengineering9080344. [PMID: 35892758 PMCID: PMC9332759 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9080344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A thermosiphon photobioreactor (TPBR) can potentially be used for biohydrogen production, circumventing the requirement for external mixing energy inputs. In this study, a TPBR is evaluated for photofermentative hydrogen production by Rhodopseudomonas palustris (R. palustris). Experiments were conducted in a TPBR, and response surface methodology (RSM), varying biomass concentration, and light intensity and temperature were employed to determine the operating conditions for the enhancement of both hydrogen production as well as biomass suspension. Biomass concentration was found to have had the most pronounced effect on both hydrogen production as well as biomass suspension. RSM models predicted maximum specific hydrogen production rates of 0.17 mol m−3h−1 and 0.21 mmol gCDW−1h−1 at R. palustris concentrations of 1.21 and 0.4 g L−1, respectively. The experimentally measured hydrogen yield was in the range of 45 to 77% (±3.8%), and the glycerol consumption was 8 to 19% (±0.48). At a biomass concentration of 0.40 g L−1, the highest percentage of biomass (72.3%), was predicted to remain in suspension in the TPBR. Collectively, the proposed novel photobioreactor was shown to produce hydrogen as well as passively circulate biomass.
Collapse
|
4
|
Progress toward a bicarbonate-based microalgae production system. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 40:180-193. [PMID: 34325913 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Commercial applications of microalgae for biochemicals and fuels are hampered by their high production costs, and the use of conventional carbon supplies is a key reason. Bicarbonate has been proposed as an alternative carbon source due to its potential advantages in lower carbon supply costs, convenience for photobioreactor development, biomass harvesting, and labor and energy savings. We review recent progress in bicarbonate-based microalgae cultivation, which validated previous assumptions, suggested further advantages, and demonstrated potential to significantly reduce production cost. Future research should focus on improving production efficiency and reducing energy inputs, including optimizing photobioreactor design, comprehensive utilization of natural power, and automation in production systems.
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang R, Wang J, Zhai X, Che J, Xiu Z, Chi Z. Carbonate assisted lipid extraction and biodiesel production from wet microalgal biomass and recycling waste carbonate for CO 2 supply in microalgae cultivation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 779:146445. [PMID: 34030268 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
High cost of microalgal biofuel is caused by all the steps in current technology, including cultivation, harvesting, lipid extraction, biofuel processing and wastewater and waste treatment. This study aims to systematically reduce these costs with one integrated process, in which carbonate is used for cell rupture, lipid extraction and biodiesel processing, and then recycled for CO2 absorption and carbon supply for a new round of algae cultivation. To reach this goal, carbonate-heating treatment with N, N' - dibutylurea which can enhance cell disruption were used for cell-wall breaking of wet Neochloris oleoabundans (UTEX 1185) biomass. Lipid extraction was fulfilled with carbonate/ethanol aqueous two phase extraction method and residual carbonate with wastewater from bottom phase was recycled to absorb CO2 to generate bicarbonate for algal cultivation with fresh medium. Taking into comprehensive consideration of cell disruption efficiency, partition coefficient, and lipid recovery, the condition of cell disruption and lipid extraction was set at 90 °C, 100 min reaction time, 1:7.5 DBU:H2O (w/w) ratio, 1:3 Na2CO3:H2O (w/w) ratio, and 9% (w/wT) ethanol concentration. The results showed that carbonate-heating treatment of wet N. oleoabundans biomass resulted in up to 90.7% cell disruption efficiency. The lipid recovery rate in carbonate/ethanol system was up to 97.9%, and the final biodiesel production was 1.30 times of that with Soxhlet method. Utilization of the waste broth after CO2 absorption with the content of 4% (v/vT) in the medium for new batch of algae cultivation resulted in biomass concentration of 1.68 g/L. The corresponding total fatty acids production was 0.35 g/L, which was 1.63 fold of that with fresh medium. This study firstly proved the feasibility of using carbonate for lipid extraction and biodiesel production and recycle waste carbonate for carbon re-supply during algae cultivation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruolan Zhang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Jinghan Wang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; Dalian SEM Bioengineer and Biotech Co. Ltd., Dalian 116620, China
| | - Xiaoqian Zhai
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Jian Che
- Dalian Xinyulong Marine Biological Seed Technology Co. Ltd., Dalian 116200, China
| | - Zhilong Xiu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Zhanyou Chi
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of Technology, No.26 Yucai Road, Jiangbei District, 315016 Ningbo, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang L, Li X, Zhang X, Li Y, Wang L. Bacterial alginate metabolism: an important pathway for bioconversion of brown algae. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2021; 14:158. [PMID: 34275475 PMCID: PMC8286568 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-021-02007-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Brown macroalgae have attracted great attention as an alternative feedstock for biorefining. Although direct conversion of ethanol from alginates (major components of brown macroalgae cell walls) is not amenable for industrial production, significant progress has been made not only on enzymes involved in alginate degradation, but also on metabolic pathways for biorefining at the laboratory level. In this article, we summarise recent advances on four aspects: alginate, alginate lyases, different alginate-degrading systems, and application of alginate lyases and associated pathways. This knowledge will likely inspire sustainable solutions for further application of both alginate lyases and their associated pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lanzeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Xue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Xiyue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Yingjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
| | - Lushan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhai X, Zhu C, Zhang Y, Pang H, Kong F, Wang J, Chi Z. Seawater supplemented with bicarbonate for efficient marine microalgae production in floating photobioreactor on ocean: A case study of Chlorella sp. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 738:139439. [PMID: 32531581 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cultivation of microalgae on ocean provides a promising way to produce massive biomass without utilizing limited land space, and using seawater as culture medium can avoid consumption of valuable fresh water. Bicarbonate is proved as a better approach for carbon supply in microalgae cultivation, but Ca2+ and Mg2+ in seawater is subjected to precipitate with carbonate derived from it. In this study, cultivation with this medium for a marine Chlorella sp. resulted in productivity of 0.470 g L-1 day-1, despite of continual precipitation caused by increased pH due to bicarbonate consumption. Actually, this precipitation is favorable, since it can work as a flocculation harvesting method for microalgae. The highest flocculation efficiency of 98.9 ± 0.0% was observed in cultures with 7.0 g L-1 NaHCO3, which was higher than that of cultures without bicarbonate (44.1 ± 0.2%). Additionally, the spent medium after flocculation supported better growth (1.60 ± 0.0 g L-1) than the fresh medium (1.26 ± 0.0 g L-1). Outdoor cultivation with floating photobioreactor on ocean resulted in the productivity of 0.190 g L-1 day-1, which was higher than that in land-based culture systems. The floating system also benefited from better temperature control with range from 20.6 to 37.2 °C, due to solar heating and surrounding water cooling. These results showed feasibility of efficient microalgae biomass production with fully utilizing of ocean resources, including culture medium preparation and temperature control with seawater, as well as wave energy for mixing, holding great potential to produce massive biomass to support sustainable development of human society.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqian Zhai
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Chenba Zhu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Yongcheng Zhang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Hao Pang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Fantao Kong
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Jinghan Wang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Zhanyou Chi
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhu C, Zhai X, Xi Y, Wang J, Kong F, Zhao Y, Chi Z. Efficient CO2 capture from the air for high microalgal biomass production by a bicarbonate Pool. J CO2 UTIL 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcou.2019.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
9
|
Zhu C, Han D, Li Y, Zhai X, Chi Z, Zhao Y, Cai H. Cultivation of aquaculture feed Isochrysis zhangjiangensis in low-cost wave driven floating photobioreactor without aeration device. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 293:122018. [PMID: 31476561 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to use floating photobioreactor (PBR) to produce microalgae biomass for aquaculture applications, and this was tested with cultivation of Isochrysis zhangjiangensis. The highest cell density of 16.1 ± 0.61 × 106 cell L-1 was obtained in an outdoor culture with a depth of 5.0 cm in 1.0 m2 floating PBR, but deeper culture resulted in higher biomass productivity. Large-scale cultivation at size of 10 m2 (1000 L) produced the highest cell density of 17.8 × 106 cell L-1 and highest biomass productivity of 0.115 g L-1 d-1, which was at the same level as that for flat-panel PBR (100 L). This developed technique provides an innovative approach to produce microalgae on site for use as fresh aquaculture feed, as well as fresh cells for use as seed inoculums for large-area aquaculture water bodies. This approach provides not only a low-cost microalgae production system but also better integration between microalgae production and aquaculture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chenba Zhu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Desen Han
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Yonghai Li
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Xiaoqian Zhai
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Zhanyou Chi
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China.
| | - Yunpeng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Haibo Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Progress on the development of floating photobioreactor for microalgae cultivation and its application potential. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 35:190. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-019-2767-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|