title: Aeration and mass transfer optimization in a rectangular airlift loop photobioreactor for the production of microalgae.
abstract: Effects of superficial gas velocity and top clearance on gas holdup, liquid circulation velocity, mixing time, and mass transfer coefficient are investigated in a new airlift loop photobioreactor (PBR), and empirical models for its rational control and scale-up are proposed. In addition, the impact of top clearance on hydrodynamics, especially on the gas holdup in the internal airlift loop reactor, is clarified; a novel volume expansion technique is developed to determine the low gas holdup in the PBR. Moreover, a model strain of Chlorella vulgaris is cultivated in the PBR and the volumetric power is analyzed with a classic model, and then the aeration is optimized. It shows that the designed PBR, a cost-effective reactor, is promising for the mass cultivation of microalgae.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China; Shandong Qilu Petrochemical Engineering Co. Ltd, Zibo 255400, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China.
authors.forename: Lishan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China; Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 10090, China. Electronic address: qshuang@ipe.ac.cn.
authors.forename: Qingshan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000391:Air Microbiology; D061249:Batch Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D048408:Chlorella vulgaris / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D025461:Feedback, Physiological; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D008027:Light; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D058433:Photobioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D011829:Radiation Dosage
keywords: Airlift loop reactor; Mass transfer; Microalgae; Mixing; Photobioreactor