Design of algal film photobioreactors: material surface energy effects on algal film productivity, colonization and lipid content.
A parallel plate air lift reactor was used to examine the growth kinetics of mixed culture algal biofilms grown on various materials (acrylic, glass, polycarbonate, polystyrene and cellulose acetate). The growth kinetics of the algal biofilms were non-linear overall and their overall productivities ranged from 1.10-2.08g/m(2)day, with those grown on cellulose acetate having the highest productivity. Overall algal biofilm productivity was largely explained by differences in the colonization time which in turn was strongly correlated to the polar surface energy of the material, but weakly correlated to water-material contact angle. When colonization time was taken into account, the productivity for all materials except acrylic was not significantly different at approximately 2g/m(2)/day. Lipid content of the algal biofilms ranged from 6% to 8% (w/w) and was not correlated to water-material contact angle or polar surface energy. The results have potential application for selecting appropriate materials for algal film photobioreactors.
Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry at the University of Toronto, 200 College St, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, Canada. Electronic address: scottnicholas.genin@mail.utoronto.ca.
Scott N
SN
Genin
The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada. Electronic address: stewart.aitchison@utoronto.ca.
J
J
Stewart Aitchison
Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry at the University of Toronto, 200 College St, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, Canada. Electronic address: dgrant.allen@utoronto.ca.
D
D
Grant Allen
D018441:Biofilms; D019149:Bioreactors; D002482:Cellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005898:Glass; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D058086:Microalgae / Q000254:growth & development*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement; D011137:Polystyrenes; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature
D008055:Lipids; D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement; D011137:Polystyrenes; C005506:polycarbonate; C005062:acetylcellulose; D002482:Cellulose
Algal biofilms; Material properties; Photobioreactor