미세조류 배양을 위한 수직형 광생물반응기 특성 연구

We have investigated characteristics of a highly efficient vertical photobioreactor (PBR) developed by IMBiz company with the comparison to horizontal photobioreactors. The vertically aligned PBR increased productivity per area of microalgae, and decreased operating expense. Also it made cleaning of PBR easier. The aeration system was designed to blow in CO₂ from the air into the PBR via bubbling. For efficient harvesting of microalgae, the PBR adapted pressure-floating technique, which concentrates algal cells more than 20 times of the concentration before treatment. To prove benefits, we have cultured single-cell microalgae Chlorella vulgaris, which is being widely produced for protein supplements and health promotion. The experiment was conducted in one batch of 1 ton with 20 circular tubes under autotrophic condition in outdoor environment. The experimental results show that the PBR is not only easy to operate and harvest but it also has higher daily productivity