Microalgae possess immense potential. They can treat wastewater, mitigating CO2 emissions, and generating valuable products like biofuels. Their advantages are plentiful: they thrive without the need for arable land, do not encroach upon farmland, and exhibit rapid growth rates. However, several drawbacks limit their widespread application. One of the most significant challenges is the efficient delivery of CO2, a crucial nutrient for algae growth, within the reactor.
This project focuses on investigating CO2 delivery through gas-permeable membranes and the utilization of biofilms in various reactor configurations, such as the Open Raceway Pond and photobioreactor. The objective is to assess whether biomass productivity can be enhanced utilizing these systems, employing both modeling and experimental studies.