Open pond culture systems and photobioreactors for microalgal biofuel production

Abstract

Microalgal biomass offers sustainable and carbon-efficient alternative for biofuel production. Biofuels from microalgae feature considerable potential to meet future challenges of carbon dioxide-neutral energy supply and storage. To obtain microalgal biomass, major requirements, including the supply of light and nutrients (carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous), maintenance of adequate culture conditions (pH and temperature) and mixing, should be considered. Proper designs of open pond and photobioreactors are the key link that should meet the growth requirement conditions of microalgae. In this review, the identifying characteristic parameters, advantages and disadvantages of open pond reactors and a variety of closed reactors, the design principles and process management for microalgal biomass production were revised. In addition, computational fluid dynamics modelling of both open pond and closed bioreactors was discussed. Technological advancement, automation and manufacturer information were also summarised.