Summary
The oxygen production rates for a cyanobacterial suspension flowing in straight and coiled tubes were measured to find a way of achieving higher efficiency of light utilization by means of convective mixing. The photosynthetic flow chambers were made of glass tubes and illumination was by fluorescent light. The cyanobacterium used was Spirulina platensis, which has a high growth rate. The oxygen production rate for fluid flow in straight and coiled tubes increase with the increase in Reynolds number. The maximum oxygen production rate was achieved at 30°C for both tube reactors, but the oxygen production rate was higher for the coiled tube unit than the straight tube unit at 30°C. Thus the convective mixing generated in the coiled tube reactor contributed to an increased in light utilization, which played an important part in improving the oxygen production rate.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Fredrickson AG, Tsuchiya HM (1969) Utilization of the effects of intermittent illumination on photosynthetic microorganisms. In: Prediction and Measurement of Photosynthetic Productivity (eds) Proc. of the IBP/PP Technical Meeting, Trebon:pp 519–541
Fujishiro H (1973) Kohgohsei (in Japanese). Shohkaboh, Tokyo
Kok B (1953) Experiments on Photosynthesis by Chlorella in flashing light. In: Algal culture from laboratory to pilot plant. Burlew JS (eds) Carnegie Institution of Washington, D.C., pp 63–75
Miller RL, Fredrickson AG, Brown AH, Tsuchiya HM (1964) Hydromechanical method to increase efficiency of algal photosynthesis. IEC Process Design Dev 3:134–143
Mori Y, Nakayama W (1964) Study on forced convective heat transfer in curved pipes (1st report, laminar region). Int J Heat Mass Transfer 8:67
Oguchi M, Otsubo K, Nitta K, Hatayama S (1987) Food production and gas exchange system using blue-green alga (Spirulina) for CELSS. Adv Space Res 7:7–10
Popovich NG (1982) Spirulina. Am Rev Pharm NS 22:8–9
Rakow AL, Chappell ML (1987) Axial migration of Spirulina microalgae in laminar tube flow. Biorheology 24:763–768
Shelef G, Oswald WJ, McGauhey PH (1970) Algar reactor for life support system. J Scan Eng Div Am Soc Civ Eng 96:91–110
Smernoff DT (1986) Atmosphere stabilization and element recycle in an experimental mouse-algal system. Report no. NASA CR-177402:95
Tanishita K, Suzuki J, Ohishi N, Naruse T (1990) Fluid flow in a strongly curved pipe. Front Med Biol Eng 2:187
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Offprint requests to: K. Tanishita
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hoshino, K., Hamochi, M., Mitsuhashi, S. et al. Measurements of oxygen production rate in flowing Spirulina suspension. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 35, 89–93 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00180642
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00180642