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Advances in Environmental Research Volume 2, Number 1, March 2013, pages 19-33 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.12989/aer.2013.2.1.019 |
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 open accessNannochloris eucaryotum growth: Kinetic analysis and use of 100% CO2 |
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Alessandro Concas, Giovanni Antonio Lutzu, Antonio Mario Locci and Giacomo Cao
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| Abstract | ||
| Microalgae are receiving an increasing attention because of their potential use as CO2 capture method and/or as feedstock for biofuels production. On the other hand the current microalgae-based technology is still not widespread since it is characterized by technical and economic constraints that hinder its full scale-up. In such contest the growth kinetics of Nannochloris eucaryotum (a relatively unknown marine strain) in batch and semi-batch photobioreactors is quantitatively investigated with the aim of obtaining the corresponding kinetic parameters suitable for process engineering and its optimization. In particular the maximum growth rate was evaluated to be 1.99 10-3 h-1. Half saturation concentrations for nitrates (KN) and phosphates uptake (KP) were evaluated as 5.4 10-4 gN L-1 and 2.5 10-5 gP L-1, respectively. Yield factors for nitrogen (YN) and phosphorus (YP) resulted to be 5.9 10-2 gN g-1biomass and 6.0 10-3 gP g-1biomass, respectively. The possibility of using 100% (v/v) CO2 gas as carbon source is also evaluated for the first time in the literature as far as N. eucaryotum is concerned. The strain showed a good adaptability to high concentrations of dissolved CO2 as well as to low pH. The lipid content under 100% CO2 is about 16.16 %wt wt-1 and the fatty acid methyl esters composition of the extracted oil is in compliance with the European regulation for quality biodiesel. | ||
| Key Words | ||
| microalgae; kinetics; Nannochloris eucaryotum; lipid content; biofuels; CO2 capture | ||
| Address | ||
| Alessandro Concas and Giacomo Cao: Centro di Ricerca Sviluppo e Studi Superiori in Sardegna (CRS4), Loc. Piscina Manna, Edificio 1, 09010 Pula (CA), Italy; Giovanni Antonio Lutzu and Giacomo Cao: Centro Interdipartimentale di Ingegneria e Scienze Ambientali (CINSA), Universita di Cagliari e Laboratorio, di Cagliari del Consorzio \"La Chimica per l\'Ambiente\", via San Giorgio 12, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; Antonio Mario Locci and Giacomo Cao: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica, Chimica e Materiali, Universita di Cagliari, Piazza d\'Armi, 09123 Cagliari, Italy | ||
