7 Optimization of photosynthesis by reactor design
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Abstract
This chapter describes the process of designing photobioreactors (PBR). The most important thing is the mindset that a PBR transforms the given environmental conditions into favorable ones for the microalgae inside the reactor with respect to light, dissolved gases, nutrients and temperature. The tools for calculating this transformation are briefly outlined. The conditions for the microalgae are described in terms of kinetics in the first part of the chapter. Kinetics considers the relation between concentrations and turnover rates, giving the total amounts of the different energy and mass fluxes to supply the cells. In the central part of this treatise, a range of current solutions for PBR design are described and discussed. This includes numbers for regularly achieved productivities but also various pros and cons. Actually, there are still a lot of disadvantages that need to be stated. Innovative approaches to cope with these challenges are outlined. This supports the expectation that sustainable and economically viable microalgae production using closed PBRs will be possible in the near future.
Abstract
This chapter describes the process of designing photobioreactors (PBR). The most important thing is the mindset that a PBR transforms the given environmental conditions into favorable ones for the microalgae inside the reactor with respect to light, dissolved gases, nutrients and temperature. The tools for calculating this transformation are briefly outlined. The conditions for the microalgae are described in terms of kinetics in the first part of the chapter. Kinetics considers the relation between concentrations and turnover rates, giving the total amounts of the different energy and mass fluxes to supply the cells. In the central part of this treatise, a range of current solutions for PBR design are described and discussed. This includes numbers for regularly achieved productivities but also various pros and cons. Actually, there are still a lot of disadvantages that need to be stated. Innovative approaches to cope with these challenges are outlined. This supports the expectation that sustainable and economically viable microalgae production using closed PBRs will be possible in the near future.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents VII
- List of authors IX
- 1 Parameters of photosynthesis relevant for a biotechnological application 1
-
Part 1: Cell design/metabolic engineering
- 2 Engineering cyanobacteria for photosynthetic butanol production 33
- 3 Cyanobacteria as catalysts for light-driven biotransformations 57
- 4 O2 escape strategies for hydrogenases in application 93
- 5 Synthetic enzymes and pathways for improved carbon capture and conversion 129
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Part 2: Environment and photobioreactor design
- 6 Rate-limiting steps in algal energy conversion from sunlight to products – the role of photosynthesis 149
- 7 Optimization of photosynthesis by reactor design 175
- 8 State-of-the-art cultivation process development for microalgae 203
- 9 Photosynthetic conversion of CO2 into bioenergy and materials using microalgae 227
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Part 3: Emerging technologies
- 10 Photosynthetic microorganisms as biocatalysts 257
- 11 Biocatalytic production of white hydrogen from water using cyanobacteria 279
- Index 307
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents VII
- List of authors IX
- 1 Parameters of photosynthesis relevant for a biotechnological application 1
-
Part 1: Cell design/metabolic engineering
- 2 Engineering cyanobacteria for photosynthetic butanol production 33
- 3 Cyanobacteria as catalysts for light-driven biotransformations 57
- 4 O2 escape strategies for hydrogenases in application 93
- 5 Synthetic enzymes and pathways for improved carbon capture and conversion 129
-
Part 2: Environment and photobioreactor design
- 6 Rate-limiting steps in algal energy conversion from sunlight to products – the role of photosynthesis 149
- 7 Optimization of photosynthesis by reactor design 175
- 8 State-of-the-art cultivation process development for microalgae 203
- 9 Photosynthetic conversion of CO2 into bioenergy and materials using microalgae 227
-
Part 3: Emerging technologies
- 10 Photosynthetic microorganisms as biocatalysts 257
- 11 Biocatalytic production of white hydrogen from water using cyanobacteria 279
- Index 307
