Kinetic characteristics and modeling of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris growth and CO2 biofixation considering the coupled effects of light intensity and dissolved inorganic carbon

Bioresour Technol. 2016 Apr:206:231-238. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.01.087. Epub 2016 Jan 30.

Abstract

Understanding and optimizing the microalgae growth process is an essential prerequisite for effective CO2 capture using microalgae in photobioreactors. In this study, the kinetic characteristics of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris growth in response to light intensity and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentration were investigated. The greatest values of maximum biomass concentration (Xmax) and maximum specific growth rate (μmax) were obtained as 2.303 g L(-1) and 0.078 h(-1), respectively, at a light intensity of 120 μmol m(-2) s(-1) and DIC concentration of 17 mM. Based on the results, mathematical models describing the coupled effects of light intensity and DIC concentration on microalgae growth and CO2 biofixation are proposed. The models are able to predict the temporal evolution of C. vulgaris growth and CO2 biofixation rates from lag to stationary phases. Verification experiments confirmed that the model predictions agreed well with the experimental results.

Keywords: Carbon biofixation; Kinetics characteristics; Mathematic models; Microalgae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomass
  • Carbon / pharmacology*
  • Carbon Cycle / drug effects*
  • Carbon Cycle / radiation effects
  • Carbon Dioxide / metabolism*
  • Chlorella vulgaris / drug effects
  • Chlorella vulgaris / growth & development*
  • Chlorella vulgaris / radiation effects
  • Kinetics
  • Light*
  • Microalgae / drug effects
  • Microalgae / growth & development*
  • Microalgae / radiation effects
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Photobioreactors / microbiology
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Solubility

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Carbon