Open AccessMicroalgal bioreactors: Challenges and opportunities
Author(s) -
Xu Ling,
Weathers Pamela J.,
Xiong XueRong,
Liu ChunZhao
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
engineering in life sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.547
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1618-2863
pISSN - 1618-0240
DOI - 10.1002/elsc.200800111
Subject(s) - photobioreactor , biochemical engineering , bioreactor , engineering , process engineering , microbiology and biotechnology , environmental science , waste management , biofuel , biology , botany
Cultivating and harvesting of products from microalgae has led to increasing commercial interest in their use for producing valuable substances for food, feed, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and biodiesel, as well as for mitigation of pollution and rising CO 2 in the environment. This review outlines different bioreactors and their current status, and points out their advantages and disadvantages. Compared with open‐air systems, there are distinct advantages to using closed systems, but technical challenges still remain. In view of potential applications, development of a more controllable, economical, and efficient closed culturing system is needed. Further developments still depend on continued research in the design of photobioreactors and break‐throughs in microalgal culturing technologies.