Microalgae can be grown in different cultivation systems: either open ponds
(Fig. 11.5a) which are more economically acceptable or photobioreactors (PBRs)
(Fig. 11.5b) which are more expensive.
The production of microalgae in open ponds strongly depends on solar irradiation, temperature, and contaminants, which may affect the productivity and
composition. Such parameters together with the need of nutrients, the availability of
land and water, drive the economics of the process. The fact that microalgae do not
require soft water for growing, but can be grown in ocean water, or else in sanitized
process- and waste-municipal-waters, is a big point in their favor with respect to
land biomass and contributes somehow to lower the production costs.
Fig. 11.4 Chemicals derived from algae [7b]
Fig. 11.5 Cultivation of microalgae in: a open pond; b photobioreactors-PBRs [13]
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(Fig. 11.5a) which are more economically acceptable or photobioreactors (PBRs)
(Fig. 11.5b) which are more expensive.
The production of microalgae in open ponds strongly depends on solar irradiation, temperature, and contaminants, which may affect the productivity and
composition. Such parameters together with the need of nutrients, the availability of
land and water, drive the economics of the process. The fact that microalgae do not
require soft water for growing, but can be grown in ocean water, or else in sanitized
process- and waste-municipal-waters, is a big point in their favor with respect to
land biomass and contributes somehow to lower the production costs.
Fig. 11.4 Chemicals derived from algae [7b]
Fig. 11.5 Cultivation of microalgae in: a open pond; b photobioreactors-PBRs [13]
11.2 Direct and Indirect Use of Biomass as Source of Energy …
197