Name: optimize flue gas settings to promote microalgae growth in photobioreactors via computer simulations
Uploaded: 2013-10-01T09:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Optimize Flue Gas Settings to Promote Microalgae Growth in Photobioreactors via Computer Simulations at JoVE.com

This study is supported by an NSF program (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) at Washington University in St. Louis.

1. Algal Cultivation and Scale-up
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	<li>Prepare the culture medium using deionized water containing 0.55 g/L-1 urea, 0.1185 g/L-1 KH2PO4, 0.102 g/L-1 MgSO4&#183;7H2O, 0.015 g/L-1 FeSO4&#183;7H2O and 22.5 &#181;l microelements (18.5 g/L-1 H3BO3, 21.0 g/L-1 CuSO4&#183;5H2O, 73.2 g/L-1 MnCl2&#183;4H2O, 13.7 g/L<s...

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In this study, we demonstrate the experimental protocol for scaling up algal cultivations in photobioreactors. We also examine several methods for flue gas inputs to promote algal growth. Using a mass transfer and bio-reaction model, we demonstrate that the CO2 mass transfer coefficient KLa (determined by bioreactor mixing condition and CO2 superficial velocity) strongly influences algal growth. The model simulation indicates continuous on-off flue gas pulses with short pulse width and hig...

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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:212px;">Spectrophotometer</td>
			<td style="width:212px;">Thermal Scientific, Texas USA</td>
			<td style="width:212px;"> </td>
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			<td height="39" style="height:39px;width:212px;">CO2 gas analyzer</td>
			<td style="width:212px;">LI-COR, Biosciences, Nebraska USA</td>
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			<td height="39" style="height:39px;width:212px;">Mass flow controllers</td>
			<td style="width:212px;">OMEGA Engineering INC, Connecticut USA</td>
			<td style="width:212px;">FMA5416</td>
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		<tr height="58">
			<td height="58" style="height:58px;width:212px;">Data acquisition card</td>
			<td style="width:212px;">Measurement Computing Corporation, Massachusetts USA</td>
			<td style="width:212px;">USB-1208FS</td>
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			<td height="39" style="height:39px;width:212px;">Filters</td>
			<td style="width:212px;">Aerocolloid LLC, Minnesota USA</td>
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			<td height="39" style="height:39px;width:212px;">MATLAB/Simulink</td>
			<td style="width:212px;">Mathworks, Massachusetts USA</td>
			<td style="width:212px;">R2010a</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:212px;">Glass bottles</td>
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optimize flue gas settings to promote microalgae growth in photobioreactors via computer simulations

Flue gas from power plants can promote algal cultivation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions1. Microalgae not only capture solar energy more efficiently than plants3, but also synthesize advanced biofuels2-4. Generally, atmospheric CO2 is not a sufficient source for supporting maximal algal growth5. On the other hand, the high concentrations of CO2 in industrial exhaust gases have adverse effects on algal physiology. Consequently, both cultivation conditions (such as nutrients and light) and the control of the flue gas flow into the photo-bioreactors are important to develop an efficient &ldquo;flue gas to algae&rdquo; system. Researchers have proposed different photobioreactor configurations4,6 and cultivation strategies7,8 with flue gas. Here, we present a protocol that demonstrates how to use models to predict the microalgal growth in response to flue gas settings. We perform both experimental illustration and model simulations to determine the favorable conditions for algal growth with flue gas. We develop a Monod-based model coupled with mass transfer and light intensity equations to simulate the microalgal growth in a homogenous photo-bioreactor. The model simulation compares algal growth and flue gas consumptions under different flue-gas settings. The model illustrates: 1) how algal growth is influenced by different volumetric mass transfer coefficients of CO2; 2) how we can find optimal CO2 concentration for algal growth via the dynamic optimization approach (DOA); 3) how we can design a rectangular on-off flue gas pulse to promote algal biomass growth and to reduce the usage of flue gas. On the experimental side, we present a protocol for growing Chlorella under the flue gas (generated by natural gas combustion). The experimental results qualitatively validate the model predictions that the high frequency flue gas pulses can significantly improve algal cultivation.

Our previous experimental analysis indicates that continuous flue gas exposure adversely affects the Chlorella growth, while decreasing CO2 exposure time is able to alleviate this inhibition13. To better understand the flue gas inflow and algal growth relationship, we develop an empirical model to simulate the biomass growth in the presence of flue gas. We assume that the flue gas contains 15% CO2 (note: The typical CO2 concentration from coal combustion is 10-15%, whi...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Optimize Flue Gas Settings to Promote Microalgae Growth in Photobioreactors via Computer Simulations at JoVE.com

Optimize Flue Gas Settings to Promote Microalgae Growth in Photobioreactors via Computer Simulations

Flue gas from power plants is a cheap CO2 source for algal growth. We have built prototype &#34;flue gas to algal cultivation&#34; systems and described how to scale up the algal cultivation process. We have demonstrated the use of a mass-transfer bio-reaction model to simulate and to design the optimal operation of flue gas for the growth of Chlorella sp. in algal photo-bioreactors.

Flue gas from power plants can promote algal cultivation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions1. Microalgae not only capture solar energy more efficiently ...

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