The hydraulically integrated serial turbidostat algal reactor (HISTAR) for microalgal production

A hydraulically integrated serial turbidostat algal reactor (HISTAR) for the mass production of microalgae was designed, constructed and preliminarily evaluated. The 9266-l experimental system consists of two enclosed turbidostats hydraulically linked to a series of six open continuous-flow, stirred-tank reactors (CFSTRs). The system was monitored and controlled using GENESIS process control software. A production study was preformed using Isochrysis sp. (C-iso) to assess system stability and production potential under commerciallike conditions. The study was performed at the following target system parameters: system dilution rate of 0.49 per day, pH 7.6, nitrogen /10 mg l , phosphorus /2 mg l , and artificial illumination (photosynthetic photon flux density) from 1000 W metal halide lamps / 800 mmol s 1 m . At steady state conditions, daily harvested algal paste was 1454 g (wet), mean areal system productivity /47.89/3.04 g m 2 per day (17.19/1.09 g C m 2 per day) and mean CFSTR6 density /105.59/6.71 mg l . # 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.