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Algal productivity modeling: A step toward accurate assessments of full‐scale algal cultivation
Author(s) -
Béchet Quentin,
Chambonnière Paul,
Shilton Andy,
Guizard Guillaume,
Guieysse Benoit
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.25517
Subject(s) - photobioreactor , chlorella vulgaris , productivity , biomass (ecology) , algae , environmental science , scale (ratio) , microcosm , biochemical engineering , ecology , biology , engineering , physics , macroeconomics , quantum mechanics , economics
A new biomass productivity model was parameterized for Chlorella vulgaris using short‐term (<30 min) oxygen productivities from algal microcosms exposed to 6 light intensities (20–420 W/m 2 ) and 6 temperatures (5–42°C). The model was then validated against experimental biomass productivities recorded in bench‐scale photobioreactors operated under 4 light intensities (30.6–74.3W/m 2 ) and 4 temperatures (10–30°C), yielding an accuracy of ± 15% over 163 days of cultivation. This modeling approach addresses major challenges associated with the accurate prediction of algal productivity at full‐scale. Firstly, while most prior modeling approaches have only considered the impact of light intensity on algal productivity, the model herein validated also accounts for the critical impact of temperature. Secondly, this study validates a theoretical approach to convert short‐term oxygen productivities into long‐term biomass productivities. Thirdly, the experimental methodology used has the practical advantage of only requiring one day of experimental work for complete model parameterization. The validation of this new modeling approach is therefore an important step for refining feasibility assessments of algae biotechnologies. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 987–996. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.