Determination of the Mass Transfer Interfacial Area (a) During Chlorella Vulgaris Cultivation in Bubble Column Photobioreactor

Mass transfer Interfacial area and gas bubble diameter are the effective parameters in bubble column reactors’ operation efficiency. In this survey the alteration of interfacial area due to changes in bubble diameter and gas hold up during cultivation of Chlorella Vulgaris in the bubble column photo bioreactor was accomplished. For measuring bubble diameters, drift flux method was used. In this method bubble diameter predicted with these parameters: gas hold up, superficial gas velocity and viscosity. With the growth of microalgae, biomass concentration could be increased and physical properties, such as liquid viscosity is ascended from 0.93 to 1.006 mPa.s. Moreover, it has the direct impression on increasing gas bubble diameter and causes a decrease of mass transfer inrefacial area about 53% and gas holdup about 58%. An experimental correlation to predict gas hold up in bubble column photo bioreactor was obtained that can predict this effective parameter on volumetric mass transfer coefficient with high accuracy (R2= 98%). This experimental correlation is on the base of superficial gas velocity, OD which is the criteria for biomass’s growth and alteration of fluid physical properties.

Keywords:

Mass transfer , Interfacial area , Bubble diameter , bubble column photobioreactor , Microalgae , Chlorella