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

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Abstract

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 \(f_{\text{d}}\) = 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.

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Acknowledgements

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. GEPEA, Université de Nantes, CNRS, UMR6144, bd de l’Université, CRTT, BP 406, 44602, Saint-Nazaire Cedex, France

    Antoinette Kazbar, H. Marec & J. Pruvost

  2. Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Lebanese University, Dekweneh, Beirut, Lebanon

    H. Takache & A. Ismail

  3. Platform for Research and Analysis in Environmental Sciences, Doctoral School of Science and Technology, Lebanese University, Campus Rafic Hariri, P.O Box 5, Hadath-Beirut, Lebanon

    Antoinette Kazbar

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  1. Antoinette Kazbar
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  2. H. Marec
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  5. J. Pruvost
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Correspondence to Antoinette Kazbar.

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Kazbar, A., Marec, H., Takache, H. et al. Effect of design dark fraction on the loss of biomass productivities in photobioreactors. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 43, 207–216 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-019-02217-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-019-02217-3

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