Kinetic exploration of the microalgal growth rate of species residing in a waste stabilization pond

Abstract:

Since the oxygen concentration is an important operational parameter of Waste Stabilization Ponds (WSP), accurate insight in the oxygen production kinetics of the microalgae living in such systems, is essential in view of system optimization. In this research the growth kinetics of the most dominant microalgal species, namely Chlorella vulgaris was investigated when different conditions of light intensity and temperature were imposed. This microalgal species was isolated from the WSP situated near Cuenca, Ecuador. A combined respirometric and titrimetric set-up was used to assess the microalgal kinetics. The experimental results illustrated the interdependent relationship of light intensity and temperature, which had a significant influence on the microalgal growth rate. Consequently the growth kinetics, proposed in a previous developed model were extended with a mathematical function that describes this relationship. Additional combined respirometric and titrimetric data was used for model calibration and model validation. Two parameters were considered for model calibration, namely the maximum specific growth rate and the oxygen mass transfer coefficient. Based upon the Theil’s Inequality Criterium, the model described the dissolved oxygen production and the related proton consumption rather good.

Año de publicación:

2016

Keywords:

Fuente:

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