Algae
Photobioreactor
Algae,
live in a wide range of aquatic environments and are a natural
component of most aquatic ecosystems being found in both fresh,
brackish and marine waters.
Microscopic
microalgae; are free floating in the water column (planktonic)
and encompass several groups of relatively simple organisms that
capture light energy through photosynthesis, using it to convert
inorganic substances into organic matter. Photosynthesis is a
method used by plants to produce glucose from sunlight, carbon
dioxide and water, with oxygen as a waste product.
Algal
species display differing efficiencies, characteristics and potential
useful added value outputs within the groups of diatoms (silica),
green algae (nutritional), golden-brown algae (omega3 oils), chrysophytes
and cyanobacteria (biofuels).
An
enclosed Algae Photo-Bioreactor (APB) consists of transparent
tubes, cylinders or plates that receive a high density culture
of algae under daylight conditions, with an option to illuminate
and extend the photoperiod of the culture to provide greater performance.
The
substance is continuously pumped around the circuit where it achieves
a regulatory ‘dark phase’. It is screened to harvest
mature cells and water borne nutrients (preferably wastewater)
are added and adjusted to the culture.
Applications
for an APB's include household wastes, wastewater and power generated
exhaust gases. It has recently been discovered that APB's can
reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% with the harvested algae processed
to biofuel products recovering up to 40 per cent of oil from the
feedstock.
Links
[
Apbe Pty Ltd (WA)
|
Greenfuel Technologies Corporation (USA)
| GS
Cleantech (USA) ]
A 3D concept animation of an APB/pond created in Second Life.
More recently APB's are being applied for the reduction of carbon emissions
from biosequestration. Current algaculture R&D is focusing on APB/pond hybrid
operations to increase algal densities to recover larger volumes of biofuels.
NEWS: fishace has joined a
a consortia of like minded ecological engineers and have launched a new
West Australian company, promoting and commercialising APB's -
further information at
www.apbe.com.au
or
fishace
|
