Abstract
In this research, the criteria and heuristics used to design and construct a photobioreactor to cultivate microalgae on a laboratory scale are presented. Within the evaluation of the performance of the equipment, the estimation of the pressure drop in the pneumatic transport of carbon dioxide from atmospheric air was carried out, as well as the determination of the mass transfer coefficient of carbon dioxide gas in the culture broth to ensure the development of the Chlorella species in 1 L containers with bubblers of 4 different configurations. The kinetics and performance of the microalgae in the elaborated culture system were also determined. As a result, the pressure drop obtained within the Pneumatic System was 9 PSI, reflecting a relatively significant loss of feed air. The value of the highest mass transfer coefficient kLa was 0,0056 s-1, indicating that it is necessary to formulate alternatives to improve the mixing of the culture broth to improve the distribution of nutrients and carbon dioxide. Finally, the biomass yield presented a value comparable with other cultivation systems proposed by different researchers.
