title: Performance of a flat panel reactor in the continuous culture of microalgae in urban wastewater: prediction from a batch experiment.
abstract: A laboratory-scale flat panel photobioreactor was operated for the continuous growth of Scenedesmus obliquus and consequent removal of nutrients in wastewater. This study develops a simple model by which biomass values in continuous operation can be predicted from kinetic growth parameters obtained from a shorter batch experiment. Based on this study, biomass concentrations and productivities in continuous operation can be successfully predicted as a function of the specific hydraulic retention time (HRT) assumed. Considerable biomass production and nutrient uptake from wastewater were achieved in the experiment. Optimum operating conditions for the reactor depend on the particular objective: the maximization of biomass production and carbon dioxide biofixation involves a HRT of 2 μ(-1) (specific growth rate), whereas efficient nutrient removal involves a HRT as close as possible to μ(-1) (as long as discharges comply fully with the parameters set); alternatively biomass intended for biodiesel or biogas production would involve a HRT > 2 μ(-1).
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Technology, Centro Andaluz de Ciencia y Tecnología Marinas, University of Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain. jesus.ruizgonzalez@uca.es
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Álvarez-Díaz
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Arbib
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garrido-Pérez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barragán
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Perales
mesh_terms: D057919:Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; D018533:Biomass; D019149:Bioreactors; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002947:Cities; D007700:Kinetics; D058086:Microalgae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism; D012044:Regression Analysis; D044444:Scenedesmus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D062065:Wastewater / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D009584:Nitrogen; D010758:Phosphorus; D062065:Wastewater