Cited by 387Algal biology and biofuel productionAquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton DynamicsFluid Dynamics and Mixing

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Microalgal bioreactors: Challenges and opportunities

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Xu, Ling, Weathers, Pamela J., Xiong, Xue‐Rong, Liu, Chun‐Zhao·2009·Engineering in Life Sciences

DOI 10.1002/elsc.200800111

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Abstract

Abstract Cultivating and harvesting of products from microalgae has led to increasing commercial interest in their use for producing valuable substances for food, feed, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and biodiesel, as well as for mitigation of pollution and rising CO2 in the environment. This review outlines different bioreactors and their current status, and points out their advantages and disadvantages. Compared with open‐air systems, there are distinct advantages to using closed systems, but technical challenges still remain. In view of potential applications, development of a more controllable, economical, and efficient closed culturing system is needed. Further developments still depend on continued research in the design of photobioreactors and break‐throughs in microalgal culturing technologies.

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“…2014) Temperature – 25 C (Mitra et al. 2012) pH – 7.5 (range 7–8) (Serra-Maia et al. 2016; Sakarika and Kornaros 2016) Depth Depths of 0.2–0.5 m (Liang et al. 2015) 0.2 m diameter (Xu et al. 2009) Area The surface area of a single pond does not usually exceed 0.5 ha but can be more substantial.”
BackgroundInfluential
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Cultivation of Synechococcus HS-9 in a novel rectangular bubble column photobioreactor with horizontal baffle
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Authors: Xu, L., Weathers, P. J., Xiong, X., & Liu, C.
Affiliations: Jiangnan University (CN)
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (US)
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
Corresponding author: Liu, Chun‐Zhao
ORCID: Xu, Ling
Weathers, Pamela J.
Venue: Engineering in Life Sciences
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2009-06
Volume: 9
Issue: 3
Pages: 178-189
ISSN: 1618-0240 (ISSN-L)
1618-2863
DOI: 10.1002/elsc.200800111
OpenAlex: W1986118925
Cited by: 387
References: 106
Citations by year: 2026: 13 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 44 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 36 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 25 · 2012: 16
FWCI: 7.33
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 59 d)
Locations: Engineering in Life Sciences (publishedVersion)
Institute of Process Engineering, CAS Institutional Repository (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
Topics: Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
Physical Sciences › Chemical Engineering › Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes › Fluid Dynamics and Mixing
Keywords: microalgae, photobioreactors, closed culture system, open-field cultivation, microalgal bioproducts, biodiesel, CO2 emission reduction, pollution reduction, bioreactor design

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Microalgal bioreactors: Challenges and opportunities

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