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Development and Performance Analysis of Low - Cost Stirred Tank and Helical Photobioreactor for Algae Production

Author Affiliations

  • 1 School of Energy and Environmental Studies, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore MP, INDIA

Res. J. Recent Sci., Volume 4, Issue (IYSC-2015), Pages 48-51, September,2 (2015)

Abstract

Algae has become popular in the recent years for development of biofuels, nutraceuticals, aqua feed etc. Photobioreactors available for algae production have complicated design, high cost and are difficult to operate. Two simple, low cost yet efficient photobioreactors a) Stirred Tank Photobioreactor and b) Helical Photobioreactor were developed and their performance evaluation was carried out for the production of Chlorella minutissima. The performance of photobioreactors was evaluated every 24 hours by measuring the growth of algae through a) Optical Density and Transmittance Method b) Dry Weight Method through centrifuge. The highest optical density observed for helical photobioreactor was 0.264 while for stirred tank photobioreactor, it was observed to be 0.247. Lowest transmittance observed for helical photobioreactor was 48.75 % while for stirred tank photobioreactor, it was observed to be 59.21%. The average dry weight per day through centrifuge method for helical photobioreactor was found to be 9.33 g-1d-1, while for stirred tank photobioreactor it was found to be 6.06 g-1d-1. The study finds both photobioreactors suitable for the production of algae. Also the simplicity in design and operation makes them a suitable candidate for algae production. Growth analysis of other algae species needs to be carried out in these photobioreactors in order to upscale them for the mass production of different algae species.

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