A two-stage solar photobioreactor for cultivation of microalgae based on solar concentrators

A novel two-stage experimental photobioreactor (PBR) with a total volume of 450 L and based uniquely on solar concentrators-linear Fresnel lenses-has been constructed and tested. Daily courses of irradiance, and also its distribution inside cultivation tubes, were studied in two unit types. The supra-high irradiance units in the 'roof' achieved a maximum summer value above 6 mmol photon m(-2) s(-1), while irradiance in the vertical-facade units was lower than 'ambient'. In model cultivations, cultures of the cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis were cultivated at much higher solar irradiances than those usually recorded outdoors in summer, indicating that this organism is resilient to high-irradiance (photoinhibition). Starting from a biomass density of 0.5 g L-1 at optimum temperature, the cultures grew exponentially. A two-stage cultivation process of the green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis was investigated with respect to correlations between photochemical activities and astaxanthin production. The culture was first grown in low-irradiance units, and then exposed to supra-high irradiance when the rate of astaxanthin production was 30-50% higher than in the culture exposed to 'ambient' irradiance. Within 4 days, the astaxanthin content reached 3% of dry weight, whereas under ambient irradiance the astaxanthin content was 25% lower.