Photobioreactors

The facility

Tubular photobioreactors used for cultivation of microalgae. They can be operated as batch (no dilution rate) or as chemostat (fixed dilution rate) for all types of media, including waste water. Volumes vary from 30 to 200L. Reactors in temperature controlled greenhouse. Mixing by aeration (CO2-enriched air or headspace recirculation). Automatic data logging of pH, temperature, light intensity and DO. pH can be controlled by acid/base addition.

Research topics 

Microalgae cultivation for biomass production and/or phytoremediation (cyanobacteria, eukariotic microalgae, microalgae-bacteria aglomerates, photogranules). Testing of operation conditions and feeding strategies at larger scale.

References

• Silva, Gustavo H. R., Ana Paula E. Sueitt, Sarah Haimes, Aikaterini Tripidaki, Ralph van Zwieten, and Tânia V. Fernandes (2019). Feasibility of Closing Nutrient Cycles from Black Water by Microalgae-Based Technology. Algal Research 44, 101715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2019.101715.
• Suleiman, Afnan Khalil Ahmad, Késia Silva Lourenço, Callum Clark, Ronildson Lima Luz, Gustavo Henrique Ribeiro da Silva, Louise E. M. Vet, Heitor Cantarella, Tânia V. Fernandes, and Eiko Eurya Kuramae (2020). From Toilet to Agriculture: Fertilization with Microalgal Biomass from Wastewater Impacts the Soil and Rhizosphere Active Microbiomes, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Plant Growth. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 161, 104924. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.104924. 
• Kuramae, E.E., Dimitrov, M.R., da Silva, G.H.R., Lucheta, A.R., Mendes, L.W., Luz, R.L., Vet, L.E.M., Fernandes, T.V. (2021). On-Site Blackwater Treatment Fosters Microbial Groups and Functions to Efficiently and Robustly Recover Carbon and Nutrients. Microorganisms 9, 75. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9010075.

Running period (guaranteed funding)

2011– undetermined: Hybrid tubular PBR (200L)
2020 – undetermined: bubble columns (6 times 30L each)

Equipment / facilities

Photobioreactors are available for collaborative research projects with the Microalgae eco-technological solutions (METS) group of AqE (NIOO-KNAW).  

Data management 

Available datasets 

During the active period of the project, the data will be stored in a personal network drive located on the NIOO-KNAW servers. Backup of personal network drives on the NIOO-KNAW servers is automated and takes place every day. The backup data are located on separate servers at NIOO-KNAW (on location) and servers off location. The backup process is installed and monitored by the ICT department at NIOO-KNAW. All data are managed according to NIOO's research data policy, which is in compliance with FAIR data guidelines. Available datasets are available through DRYAD (arising from publications) or upon request (not covered in publications).

Conditions for access

Photobioreactors are available for collaborative research projects with AqE (NIOO-KNAW), and as such access and costs will be agreed upon by project partners.