The hydraulically integrated serial turbidostat algal reactor (HISTAR) for microalgal production

A hydraulically integrated serial turbidostat algal reactor (HISTAR) for the mass production of microalgae was designed, constructed and preliminarily evaluated. The 9266-l experimental system consists of two enclosed turbidostats hydraulically linked to a series of six open continuous-flow, stirred-tank reactors (CFSTRs). The system was monitored and controlled using GENESIS process control software. A production study was preformed using Isochrysis sp. (C-iso) to assess system stability and production potential under commercial-like conditions. The study was performed at the following target system parameters: system dilution rate of 0.49 per day, pH 7.6, NITROGEN=10 mg l^?1, PHOSPHORUS=2 mg l^?1, and artificial illumination (photosynthetic photon flux density) from 1000 W metal halide LAMPS=800 μmol s^?1 m^?2. At steady state conditions, daily harvested algal paste was 1454 g (wet), mean areal system PRODUCTIVITY=47.8±3.04 g m^?2 per day (17.1±1.09 g C m^?2 per day) and mean CFSTR6 DENSITY=105.5±6.71 mg l^?1.