High-Density Microalgae Cultivation in Open Thin-Layer Cascade Photobioreactors with Water Recycling
(1) Background: Recycling of water and non-converted nutrients is considered to be a necessity for an economically viable production of microalgal biomass as a renewable feedstock. However, medium recycling might also have a negative impact on algal growth and productivity due to the accumulation of...
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MDPI AG
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/11/3883 |
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| author | Torben Schädler Anna-Cathrine Neumann-Cip Karin Wieland David Glöckler Christoph Haisch Thomas Brück Dirk Weuster-Botz |
| author_facet | Torben Schädler Anna-Cathrine Neumann-Cip Karin Wieland David Glöckler Christoph Haisch Thomas Brück Dirk Weuster-Botz |
| author_sort | Torben Schädler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | (1) Background: Recycling of water and non-converted nutrients is considered to be a necessity for an economically viable production of microalgal biomass as a renewable feedstock. However, medium recycling might also have a negative impact on algal growth and productivity due to the accumulation of growth-inhibiting substances. (2) Methods: Consecutive batch processes with repeated water recycling after harvesting of algal biomass were performed with the saline microalga <i>Microchloropsis salina</i> in open thin-layer cascade photobioreactors operated at a physically simulated Mediterranean summer climate. The impact of water recycling on culture performance was studied and the composition of the recycled water was analyzed. (3) Results: Water recycling had no adverse effect on microalgal growth and biomass productivity (14.9−21.3 g m<sup>−2</sup> d<sup>−1</sup>) if all necessary nutrients were regularly replenished and KNO<sub>3</sub> was replaced by urea as the nitrogen source to prevent the accumulation of K<sup>+</sup> ions. Dissolved organic carbon accumulated in recycled water, probably promoting mixotrophic growth. (4) Conclusion: This study shows that repeated recycling of water is feasible even in high-density cultivation processes with <i>M. salina</i> of more than 30 g L<sup>−1</sup> cell dry weight, increasing culture performance while reducing nutrient consumption and circumventing wastewater production. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:23:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-759c80777ea64e33801ee6ebd0f11d4c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:23:49Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-759c80777ea64e33801ee6ebd0f11d4c2023-11-20T02:44:04ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172020-06-011011388310.3390/app10113883High-Density Microalgae Cultivation in Open Thin-Layer Cascade Photobioreactors with Water RecyclingTorben Schädler0Anna-Cathrine Neumann-Cip1Karin Wieland2David Glöckler3Christoph Haisch4Thomas Brück5Dirk Weuster-Botz6Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstr. 15, 85748 Garching, GermanyUniversity Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Leopoldstr. 5, 80802 Munich, GermanyInstitute of Hydrochemistry, Technical University of Munich, Marchioninistr. 17, 81377 Munich, GermanyInstitute of Hydrochemistry, Technical University of Munich, Marchioninistr. 17, 81377 Munich, GermanyInstitute of Hydrochemistry, Technical University of Munich, Marchioninistr. 17, 81377 Munich, GermanyTUM-AlgaeTec Center, Department of Aerospace and Geodesy, Technical University of Munich, Ludwig Bölkow Campus, Willy Messerschmitt Str. 1, 82024 Taufkirchen, GermanyInstitute of Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstr. 15, 85748 Garching, Germany(1) Background: Recycling of water and non-converted nutrients is considered to be a necessity for an economically viable production of microalgal biomass as a renewable feedstock. However, medium recycling might also have a negative impact on algal growth and productivity due to the accumulation of growth-inhibiting substances. (2) Methods: Consecutive batch processes with repeated water recycling after harvesting of algal biomass were performed with the saline microalga <i>Microchloropsis salina</i> in open thin-layer cascade photobioreactors operated at a physically simulated Mediterranean summer climate. The impact of water recycling on culture performance was studied and the composition of the recycled water was analyzed. (3) Results: Water recycling had no adverse effect on microalgal growth and biomass productivity (14.9−21.3 g m<sup>−2</sup> d<sup>−1</sup>) if all necessary nutrients were regularly replenished and KNO<sub>3</sub> was replaced by urea as the nitrogen source to prevent the accumulation of K<sup>+</sup> ions. Dissolved organic carbon accumulated in recycled water, probably promoting mixotrophic growth. (4) Conclusion: This study shows that repeated recycling of water is feasible even in high-density cultivation processes with <i>M. salina</i> of more than 30 g L<sup>−1</sup> cell dry weight, increasing culture performance while reducing nutrient consumption and circumventing wastewater production.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/11/3883microalgae<i>Microchloropsis salina</i>open photobioreactorthin-layer cascadewater recycling |
| spellingShingle | Torben Schädler Anna-Cathrine Neumann-Cip Karin Wieland David Glöckler Christoph Haisch Thomas Brück Dirk Weuster-Botz High-Density Microalgae Cultivation in Open Thin-Layer Cascade Photobioreactors with Water Recycling Applied Sciences microalgae <i>Microchloropsis salina</i> open photobioreactor thin-layer cascade water recycling |
| title | High-Density Microalgae Cultivation in Open Thin-Layer Cascade Photobioreactors with Water Recycling |
| title_full | High-Density Microalgae Cultivation in Open Thin-Layer Cascade Photobioreactors with Water Recycling |
| title_fullStr | High-Density Microalgae Cultivation in Open Thin-Layer Cascade Photobioreactors with Water Recycling |
| title_full_unstemmed | High-Density Microalgae Cultivation in Open Thin-Layer Cascade Photobioreactors with Water Recycling |
| title_short | High-Density Microalgae Cultivation in Open Thin-Layer Cascade Photobioreactors with Water Recycling |
| title_sort | high density microalgae cultivation in open thin layer cascade photobioreactors with water recycling |
| topic | microalgae <i>Microchloropsis salina</i> open photobioreactor thin-layer cascade water recycling |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/11/3883 |
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