International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering

| Peer-Reviewed |

Temperature Control of Flat-panel Airlift Photobioreactors for Microalgae Prduction – A Numerical Investigation

Received: 23 October 2019    Accepted: 14 November 2019    Published: 06 December 2019
Views:       Downloads:

Share This Article

Abstract

Within the blue biotechnology, the cultivation of microalgae has an important role. Aimed is the production of valuable bio products, including biofuels. Microalgae can be cultivated in open raceway ponds or in different types of photobioreactors (PBRs). Besides their higher investment costs, PBRs are gaining more importance due to the possibilities they offer for controlling the production parameters like, light, pH, Nutrients, CO2 supply, etc. This study presents the influence of temperature control on the operating cost of a culture in a flat-panel airlift photobioreactor, based on a simulation model. The data used are those of a coastal range in Cyprus, at Zygi, with mild climate, requiring heating in Winter and cooling in the Summer. Microalgae grow optimally between 20°C and 24°C, but choosing the right set temperatures for Winter and Summer plays an important role in the economy of the system. The most energy saving option seems to be that of a stepwise set-temperature control, with a temperature varying in steps between 19 and 24°C that are considered to be economic acceptable minimum and maximum values. For the estimation of the yearly fuel consumption of the PBR a new term, the Burner ON Ratio was introduced.

DOI 10.11648/j.ijepe.20190806.12
Published in International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering (Volume 8, Issue 6, November 2019)
Page(s) 79-87
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Microalgae Cultivation, Photobioreactor, Biofuels, Temperature Control of Photobioreactors, Burner on Ratio

References
[1] M. K. Lam and K. T. Lee, (2012), “Microalgae biofuels: A critical review of issues, problems and the way forward”, Biotechnol. Adv. 30 (3), 673–690.
[2] T. M. Mata, A. A. Martins and N. S. Caetano, (2010), “Microalgae for biodiesel production and other applications: a review”, Renew. Sust. Energ. Rev. 14 (1), 217–232.
[3] L. Zhu, (2015), “Microalgal culture strategies for biofuel production: A review”, Biofuels Bioprod. Biorefin. 9 (6), 801–814.
[4] M. Omirou, I. Tzovenis, P. Charalambous, P. Tsaousis, P. Polycarpou, X. Chantzistrountsiou, A. Economou-Amilli and I. M. Ioannides. (2018). “Development of marine multi-algae culture for biodiesel production”. Elsevier, Algal Research 33, 462-469.
[5] M. Arnold, (2013), “Sustainable Algal Biomass Products by Cultivation in Waste Water Flows”, VTT Technology, 147, 1–84.
[6] Tredici, M. R. (2004). “Mass production of microalgae: Photobioreactors”. In: Richmond A., editor. Handbook of microalgal culture: biotechnology and applied phycology. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 178–214.
[7] I. Rawat, R. R. Kumar, T. Mutanda and F. Bux, (2011), “Dual role of microalgae: Phycoremediation of domestic wastewater and biomass production for sustainable biofuels production”, Appl. Energy 88 (10), 3411–3424.
[8] L. Brennan and P. Owende, (2010), “Biofuels from microalgae — A review of technologies for production, processing, and extractions of biofuels and co-products”, Renew. Sust. Energ. Rev. 14 (2), 557–577.
[9] P. M. Schenk, S. R. Thomas-Hall, E. Stephens, U. C. Marx, J. H. Mussgnug, C. Posten, O. Kruse and B. Hankamer, (2008) “Second generation biofuels: high-efficiency microalgae for biodiesel production”, Bioenergy Res. 1 (1), 20–43.
[10] M. Balat, (2011), “Potential alternatives to edible oils for biodiesel production — A review of current work”, Energy Convers. Manag. 52 (2), 1479–1492.
[11] X. Tong, Z. Sun, N. Sigrimis and T. Li. “Energy sustainability performance of a sliding cover solar greenhouse: Solar energy capture aspects”. December 2018, Biosystems Engineering 176,. 88-102.
[12] Y. Chisti, (2007), “Biodiesel from microalgae”, Biotechnol. Adv. 25 (3), 294–306.
[13] M. Olaizola, (2000). “Commercial production of astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis using 25,000-liter outdoor photobioreactors”. J. Appl. Phycol., 12, 499–506.
[14] M. Olaizola, (2003). “Commercial development of microalgal biotechnology: from the test tube to the marketplace”. Biomolecular Engineering, 20, 459-466. DOI: 10.1016/S1389-0344(03)00076-5.
[15] Chisti, Y., F. G. Camacho, F. G. A. Fernandez and E. M. Grima, (1999). “Photobioreactors: light regime, mass transfer, and scale up”. Journal of Biotechnology, 70, 231-247. PII: S0168-1656(99)00078-4
[16] Pulz, O. (2001). “Photobioreactors: production systems for phototrophic microorganisms”. Appl. Microb. Biotechnol., 57, 287–93.
[17] N. H. Norsker, M. J. Barbosa, M. H. Vermue and R. H. Wijffels, (2012). “On energy balance and production costs in tubular and flat panel photobioreactors”. Technikfolgenabschätzung – Theorie und Praxis, 21, 1: 54-62.
[18] C. J. Geankoplis, (2003). “Transport Processes and Separation Process Principles”. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.
[19] I. Baklouti, D. Zied and A. Mohamed. (2012). “Estimation of solar radiation on horizontal and inclined surfaces in Sfax”, TUNISIA. 2012 1st International Conference on Renewable Energies and Vehicular Technology, REVET 2012. 10.1109/REVET.2012.6195260.
[20] P. Borah, M. K. Singh and S. Mahapatra. “Estimation of degree-days for different climatic zones of North-East India”. Sustainable Cities and Society, Volume 14, February 2015, 70-81.
[21] H. Roger. (1983). “Estimating monthly degree-days”. Building Services Engineering Research & Technology - BUILD SERV ENG RES TECHNOL. 4,.159-162.
Author Information
  • Agricultural Research Institute, Production Division, Nicosia, Cyprus

Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Polycarpos Polycarpou. (2019). Temperature Control of Flat-panel Airlift Photobioreactors for Microalgae Prduction – A Numerical Investigation. International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering, 8(6), 79-87. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20190806.12

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Polycarpos Polycarpou. Temperature Control of Flat-panel Airlift Photobioreactors for Microalgae Prduction – A Numerical Investigation. Int. J. Energy Power Eng. 2019, 8(6), 79-87. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepe.20190806.12

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Polycarpos Polycarpou. Temperature Control of Flat-panel Airlift Photobioreactors for Microalgae Prduction – A Numerical Investigation. Int J Energy Power Eng. 2019;8(6):79-87. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepe.20190806.12

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ijepe.20190806.12,
      author = {Polycarpos Polycarpou},
      title = {Temperature Control of Flat-panel Airlift Photobioreactors for Microalgae Prduction – A Numerical Investigation},
      journal = {International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering},
      volume = {8},
      number = {6},
      pages = {79-87},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijepe.20190806.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20190806.12},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepe.20190806.12},
      abstract = {Within the blue biotechnology, the cultivation of microalgae has an important role. Aimed is the production of valuable bio products, including biofuels. Microalgae can be cultivated in open raceway ponds or in different types of photobioreactors (PBRs). Besides their higher investment costs, PBRs are gaining more importance due to the possibilities they offer for controlling the production parameters like, light, pH, Nutrients, CO2 supply, etc. This study presents the influence of temperature control on the operating cost of a culture in a flat-panel airlift photobioreactor, based on a simulation model. The data used are those of a coastal range in Cyprus, at Zygi, with mild climate, requiring heating in Winter and cooling in the Summer. Microalgae grow optimally between 20°C and 24°C, but choosing the right set temperatures for Winter and Summer plays an important role in the economy of the system. The most energy saving option seems to be that of a stepwise set-temperature control, with a temperature varying in steps between 19 and 24°C that are considered to be economic acceptable minimum and maximum values. For the estimation of the yearly fuel consumption of the PBR a new term, the Burner ON Ratio was introduced.},
     year = {2019}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Temperature Control of Flat-panel Airlift Photobioreactors for Microalgae Prduction – A Numerical Investigation
    AU  - Polycarpos Polycarpou
    Y1  - 2019/12/06
    PY  - 2019
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20190806.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepe.20190806.12
    T2  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
    JF  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
    JO  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
    SP  - 79
    EP  - 87
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2326-960X
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20190806.12
    AB  - Within the blue biotechnology, the cultivation of microalgae has an important role. Aimed is the production of valuable bio products, including biofuels. Microalgae can be cultivated in open raceway ponds or in different types of photobioreactors (PBRs). Besides their higher investment costs, PBRs are gaining more importance due to the possibilities they offer for controlling the production parameters like, light, pH, Nutrients, CO2 supply, etc. This study presents the influence of temperature control on the operating cost of a culture in a flat-panel airlift photobioreactor, based on a simulation model. The data used are those of a coastal range in Cyprus, at Zygi, with mild climate, requiring heating in Winter and cooling in the Summer. Microalgae grow optimally between 20°C and 24°C, but choosing the right set temperatures for Winter and Summer plays an important role in the economy of the system. The most energy saving option seems to be that of a stepwise set-temperature control, with a temperature varying in steps between 19 and 24°C that are considered to be economic acceptable minimum and maximum values. For the estimation of the yearly fuel consumption of the PBR a new term, the Burner ON Ratio was introduced.
    VL  - 8
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

  • Sections