title: Optimal intensity and biomass density for biofuel production in a thin-light-path photobioreactor.
abstract: Production of competitive microalgal biofuels requires development of high volumetric productivity photobioreactors (PBRs) capable of supporting high-density cultures. Maximal biomass density supported by the current PBRs is limited by nonuniform distribution of light as a result of self-shading effects. We recently developed a thin-light-path stacked photobioreactor with integrated slab waveguides that distributed light uniformly across the volume of the PBR. Here, we enhance the performance of the stacked waveguide photobioreactor (SW-PBR) by determining the optimal wavelength and intensity regime of the incident light. This enabled the SW-PBR to support high-density cultures, achieving a carrying capacity of OD730 20. Using a genetically modified algal strain capable of secreting ethylene, we improved ethylene production rates to 937 μg L(-1) h(-1). This represents a 4-fold improvement over a conventional flat-plate PBR. These results demonstrate the advantages of the SW-PBR design and provide the optimal operational parameters to maximize volumetric production.
authors.affiliation: †Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.
authors.forename: Aadhar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Voulis
authors.affiliation: †Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.
authors.forename: Erica E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Devin F R
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Doud
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Largus T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Angenent
authors.affiliation: †Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Erickson
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels; D018533:Biomass; D005030:Ethylenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D058086:Microalgae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D058433:Photobioreactors
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D005030:Ethylenes; C036216:ethylene