BPE-32803 Microalgae Biotechnology

Course

Credits 3.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

BPE-20806 Separation Process Design.

Contents:

The waters of the world, oceans, seas, rivers, creeks, lakes and even ice house a tremendous variety of micro-organisms that are able to use light as the only source of energy to fuel metabolism. These unicellular organisms, micro-algae and cyanobacteria, are an abundant source for products that can contribute to human health and well-being: high-value food ingredients (proteins pigments and antioxidants), bulk chemicals, food and feed lipids, food and feed protein, or possibly biofuels. Microalgae and cyanobacteria are also capable of incorporating inorganic carbon (carbon dioxide), and other minerals. This combined with the use sunlight as their sole energy source, makes that they are often seen as the most promising candidates for sustainable production of biofuels. The use of sunlight, however, imposes specific demands on the bioreactors (i.e. photobioreactors) and cultivation protocols. This course aims at a simple mathematical description of microalgae growth in photobioreactors and the accumulation of specific products. Combined with a simplified model for light penetration, the productivity of photobioreactors is analyzed and can be calculated. In addition, the design and operation of photobioreactors is discussed. Finally, you will cultivate microalgae under fully controlled conditions in lab-scale photobioreactors and induce the production of a specific product.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- present an overview of the possible applications of microalgae and cyanobacteria;
- analyze photoautotrophic microalgae growth and product accumulation based on simplified mathematical models;
- calculate light penetration in microalgae cultures based on a simplified mathematical model;
- calculate productivity of microalgae cultures in photobioreactors based on the models derived;
- present an overview of state-of-the-art microalgae photobioreactors, and explain their design, based on the concepts of light dilution and light integration;
- culture microalgae in fully controlled lab-scale photobioreactors;
- design, execute and evaluate experiments to induce and maximize product formation in microalgae.

Activities:

Following lectures and studying lecture notes and course theory. Practicing example calculations and performing a computer case study based on Excel (spreadsheet). Practical experimentation, including planning, data analysis, reporting and presentation.

Examination:

The final mark will be based on a mark for the written exam (70%, minimal mark 5.5), consisting of open questions, and a mark for the practical part of the course (30%, minimal mark 5.5). In order to receive the final mark attendance and successful completion of the case study is mandatory. Case study is successfully completed when correct model results have been re-calculated.

Literature:

A reader will be distributed at the start of the course.