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Energy Considerations of Photobioreactors

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Algae for Biofuels and Energy

Part of the book series: Developments in Applied Phycology ((DAPH,volume 5))

Abstract

Microalgae have been proven to be a potential source for valuable compounds and fuels. However, photobioreactors are not optimized concerning economic aspects. The energy demand of the reactor could be in the same order of magnitude as the harvested incident solar irradiation stored as chemical energy bound in microalgal biomass. Therefore hydrodynamics as a key parameter influences not only the auxiliary energy need and the mass transfer of dissolved gases (CO2/O2) as well as the temperature profile by mixing, but also the light availability for the cells by moving them through light gradients. The physiological reactions of the algae determine the attainable PCE (photo-conversion efficiency) of solar light energy into biomass with a theoretical limit of 12.6 % and show the necessity of light dilution. Recent reactor systems like tubular and plate systems as well as new designs are described underlining the need of reducing reactor and maintenance costs and combining efficient concepts. Photobioreactors have to be considered in a generalized approach by superposition of fluid flow, light field and physiological cell reactions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Bioprocess Engineering, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Engineering in Life Science, Fritz-Haber-Weg 2, Geb. 30.44, D-76131, Karlsruhe, Germany

    Anna Jacobi & Clemens Posten

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  1. Anna Jacobi
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  2. Clemens Posten
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Correspondence to Clemens Posten .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Murdoch University, Murdoch, West Australia, Australia

    Michael A. Borowitzka

  2. Murdoch University, Murdoch, West Australia, Australia

    Navid R. Moheimani

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Jacobi, A., Posten, C. (2013). Energy Considerations of Photobioreactors. In: Borowitzka, M., Moheimani, N. (eds) Algae for Biofuels and Energy. Developments in Applied Phycology, vol 5. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5479-9_13

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