Abstract

JAIMES VILLARREAL, Nestor Andres  and  KAFAROV, Viatcheslav. Preliminary development of a methodology for supply CO₂ to Botryococcus braunii crops for biofuel production. Rev. ion [online]. 2015, vol.28, n.2, pp.33-50. ISSN 0120-100X.  https://doi.org/10.18273/revion.v28n2-2015003.

Several studies about the cultivation of microalgae in laboratory and pilot scale have recorded the potential of these microorganisms for the production of raw material in the fabrication of biofuels. The provision of a carbon source for the mass cultivation of microalgae is one of the main constraints in the production process; these photosynthetically fi xed inorganic carbon (CO₂) and synthesized metabolites for biofuel production. In the present study the infl uence of various parameters of CO₂ supply over Botryococcus braunii crops in laboratory scale photobioreactors was evaluated. Central composite experimental designs were proposed to correlate the parameters and determine their effect on the dilution of CO₂ and production of metabolites (biomass, lipids and hydrocarbons). Regarding design parameters of the photobioreactor, heights > 36cm, diameter < 7cm and small bubble sizes help increase CO₂ dilution up to 180%. It was found that high concentrations of CO₂ (> 0.06v/vm) continuously supplied are ideal for cell growth. Moreover, medium concentrations of CO₂ (0.04 - 0.06v/vm) are ideal for the production of lipids and low concentrations of CO₂ (< 0.02v/vm) is ideal for the production of hydrocarbons. The potential of the Colombian B. braunii strain for biodiesel production was validated thanks to its high lipid synthesis

Keywords : microalgae; botryococcus braunii; CO₂; photobioreactor; lipids; hydrocarbons.

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