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CO 2 Transport and photosynthetic productivity of a continuous culture of algae
Author(s) -
Märkl H.
Publication year - 1977
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.260191209
Subject(s) - chlorella vulgaris , photosynthesis , algae , aeration , productivity , dispersion (optics) , photobioreactor , bubble , botany , chemistry , biology , mechanics , physics , biomass (ecology) , ecology , economics , optics , macroeconomics
The photosynthetic activity of a continuous culture of the microalga Chlorella vulgaris as it is influenced by the CO 2 concentration in the aerating air at different light levels is discussed. It is shown that the characteristic of this behavior is mainly determined by the CO 2 transport from the air to the algal cell. Therefore the critical CO 2 concentration necessary for optimal growth of a particular alga cannot be given in general, as it differs over a very wide range depending on the dispersion system used in the culture vessel. By analyzing experimental data by means of a mathematical model the overall transport coefficient in a well stirred system for the CO 2 transport from the air bubble to the algal cell and the “actual” CO 2 kinetics, can be calculated within reasonable limits of accuracy.