Enhancing Arthrospira platensis productivity by optimizing mixing rates in a self-cooling flat plate photobioreactor

Behnam Amanna; Parisa A. Bahri; Guangjie Zhang; Navid R. Moheimani

doi:10.1016/j.algal.2025.104035

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Enhancing Arthrospira platensis productivity by optimizing mixing rates in a self-cooling flat plate photobioreactor

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Enhancing Arthrospira platensis productivity by optimizing mixing rates in a self-cooling flat plate photobioreactor

Behnam Amanna, Parisa A. Bahri, Guangjie Zhang and Navid R. Moheimani

Algal research (Amsterdam), Vol.88, 104035

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2025.104035

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Abstract

Effective quantum yield

Flat plate photobioreactor

Infrared filtration

Mathematical modelling

Microalgae

Outdoor cultivation

Arthrospira platensis has been a dietary staple for decades. While raceway ponds are commonly used for mass cultivation, closed photobioreactors (PBRs) offer higher productivity and reduced contamination risks. Mixing rate is a critical factor influencing microalgal growth and productivity. This study examines the impact of air injection flow rates (0.17–0.27 vvm), corresponding to superficial gas velocities of 0.00315–0.0050 m·s−1, on the growth, productivity, and effective quantum yield (f'q/f'm) of A. platensis in a 140 L self-cooling flat plate PBR with an infrared-reflective thin-film coating that enables passive temperature control and reduces energy demand for cooling. The optimal gas velocity of 0.00389 m·s−1 yielded an average productivity of 0.126 g·L−1·d−1. Beyond this velocity, at 0.00426 m·s−1, there was neither significant increase in productivity, nor a notable decrease in f'q/f'm. However, at higher gas velocities of 0.00463 m·s−1 and 0.0050 m·s−1, f'q/f'm decreased significantly, by up to 48.6 %, indicating adverse effects on the microalgal cells. Lower velocities (<0.00389 m·s−1) did not affect f'q/f'm but resulted in inadequate mixing, reducing biomass productivity by 16.4 % and 23.8 % for 0.00352 and 0.00315 m·s−1. A validated growth model accurately predicted A. platensis growth (R2 = 94.5 % for biomass, 81.2 % for temperature). Moreover, Experimental data from Perth, Australia, during spring and winter aligned closely with model predictions. This integration of experimental data and predictive modelling highlights the importance of precise mixing rate optimization in maximizing microalgal productivity and demonstrates the reliability of such models for advancing large-scale algal cultivation. [Display omitted]

Details

Title: Enhancing Arthrospira platensis productivity by optimizing mixing rates in a self-cooling flat plate photobioreactor
Authors/Creators: Behnam Amanna - School of Engineering and Energy, Murdoch University, Murdoch 6150, Western Australia, Australia
Parisa A. Bahri - Murdoch University, Centre for Water, Energy and Waste
Guangjie Zhang - Algae Innovation Hub, School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
Navid R. Moheimani - Murdoch University, Centre for Water, Energy and Waste
Publication Details: Algal research (Amsterdam), Vol.88, 104035
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Number of pages: 15
Identifiers: 991005765132407891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Engineering and Energy
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.171 Photoproductivity; 3.171.477 Microalgae Biotechnology
Web Of Science research areas: Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
ESI research areas: Biology & Biochemistry