Microalgae Process Design: from Cells to Photobioreactors

About

This course provides the essential skills for designing microalgae-based production processes, for both research and commercial purposes.
Microalgae and cyanobacteria have the potential to produce a wide variety of products using light as the only source of energy to fuel metabolism. Among these products are polyunsaturated fatty acids, pigments and therapeutic proteins. In addition to these high-value products, microalgae are regarded as one of the most promising resources for the production of bulk products such as lipids and proteins for food and feed applications, and base chemicals for the industry. To make economical production of such bulk products possible, the production process needs to be scaled while reducing the cost price.

In this course both biological aspects of microalgae growth, and engineering aspects related to large-scale production processes will be covered. Special emphasis is given to light-limited growth and how this affects reactor design and operation. This aspect will also be treated in a hands-on experiment in small bench-scale photobioreactors. Furthermore, gas-liquid transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide discussed because efficient utilization of carbon dioxide and removal of oxygen is essential for scale-up. Other aspects that will be covered are nutrients supply , temperature effects on microalgal growth, and photobioreactor control and operation. Theory will be supported with practical data from our pilot facility AlgaePARC. At the end, we will return to the biology of microalgae and assess the potential of strain improvement and strain selection with respect to biomass productivity and product accumulation

Course leader

Prof. Maria Barbosa, Bioprocess Engineering - AlgaePARC, Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands

Target group

The course is aimed at PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and professionals from both academia and industry, who would like to acquire a thorough understanding of microalgal metabolism and photobioreactor design and operation. An MSc level in bioprocess technology, or alike, is recommended

Course aim

This course provides the essential skills for designing optimal microalgae-based production processes, for both research and commercial purposes.
Through lectures, digital cases and a photobioreactor practical, the participants will learn:

- about light-limited growth of microalgae in photobioreactors
- to cultivate microalgae in fully controlled bench-scale photobioreactors
- to design efficient gas-liquid transfer of carbon dioxide and oxygen
- about reactor control (pH, dissolved CO2 and O2)
- about medium design and supply of inorganic nutrients
- about temperature effects on algal growth and its control
- to integrate the acquired knowledge into efficient production strategies for microalgae,
- to evaluate the impact of process parameters on production costs including the aspect of scale
- to recognize the potential and be acquainted with different approaches of strain selection and improvement, for biomass production and product accumulation

Fee info