Photobioreactors (PBRs) dedicated to growing microalgae or cyanobacteria are a promising technology, with numerous potential applications such as in high value-added products, bioenergy and carbon capture.

However, further technological advances are still required in order to reduce production costs and environmental impact and increase energy efficiency.

In this context, optimising the PBRs’ performance by increasing the concentration of culture in a given illuminated area is a promising way to enhance production and achieve eco-efficiency.

Hence the ALLIGATOR project aims to develop a new design for an intensified PBR. The overall aim is ensure light availability throughout the whole reactor thickness. The proposed configuration relies on a thin-gap bubble column. This is expected to enhance gas-liquid mass transfer and to favour mixing between microalgae and nutrients, while also allowing a high concentration of biomass.

Partners
Research centers
  • - Laboratoire de Génie des Procédés - Environnement - Agroalimentaire (GEPEA), Université de Nantes, Saint-Nazaire  [Project Developer]
  • - Centrale Supelec, Laboratoire de Génie des Procédés et Matériaux (LGPM), Gif-sur-Yvette
  • - Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, Institut de Mécanique des Fluides de Toulouse, Toulouse.
Funder
Agence Nationale de la Recherche
Labelisation
06/09/2019
Overall budget
1 375 k€
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