The effect of light supply on microalgal growth, CO2 uptake and nutrient removal from wastewater

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Goncalves, AL (Author) Other; Simões M (Author) FEUP; Pires, JCM (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Energy Conversion and Management

Vol. 85

Pages: 530-536

ISSN: 0196-8904

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 52 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 67 Citations

INSPEC

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Process engineering > Bioprocess engineering ; Technological sciences > Engineering > Project engineering

FOS: Engineering and technology > Environmental engineering

Associated Projects

UI0511 - PROJECTO ESTRATÉGICO - UI 511 - 2013-2014

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-Q08

DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2014.05.085

Abstract (EN): Microalgal based biofuels have been reported as an attractive alternative for fossil fuels, since they constitute a renewable energy source that reduces greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. However, producing biofuels from microalgae is still not economically viable. Therefore, the integration of biofuel production with other microalgal applications, such as CO2 capture and nutrient removal from wastewaters, would reduce the microalgal production costs (and the environmental impact of cultures), increasing the economic viability of the whole process. Additionally, producing biofuels from microalgae strongly depends on microalgal strain and culture conditions. This study evaluates the effect of culture conditions, namely light irradiance (36, 60, 120 and 180 mu E m(-2) s(-1)) and light:dark ratio (10:14, 14:10 and 24:0), on microalgal growth, atmospheric CO2 uptake and nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorous) removal from culture medium. Four different microalgal strains, Chlorella vulgaris, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Synechocystis sauna and Microcystis aeruginosa, were studied to ascertain the most advantageous regarding the referred applications. This study has shown that higher light irradiance values and light periods resulted in higher specific growth rates and CO2 uptake rates. C vulgaris presented the highest specific growth rate and CO2 uptake rate: 1.190 +/- 0.041 d(-1) and 0.471 +/- 0.047 gam L-1 d(-1), respectively. All the strains have shown high nitrogen removal efficiencies, reaching 100% removal percentages in cultures with higher light supply. Phosphorus removal increased with light irradiance and with light:dark ratio. The highest removal efficiency, 67.6 +/- 7.1%, was achieved by the microalga C vulgaris.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7