Specific Light Uptake Rate Can be Served as a Scale-Up Parameter in Photobioreactor Operations

Lumostatic operation for cultivation of Haematococcus pluvialis was assessed to test the scale-up strategy of photobioreactors. Lumostatic operation is a method of maintaining a proper light condition based on the specific light uptake rate (q∧e), by cells. Lumostatic operations were performed in 0.4-, 2-, 10-, and 30-1 scale bubble column photobioreactors and the results were compared with cultures illuminated with constant light intensity. Significant differences were observed in the maximal cell concentrations obtained from 0.4-, 2-, 10-, and 30-1 scale photobioreactors under constant light intensity, yielding the maximal cell concentrations of 2.8×10∨5, 2.2×10∨5, 1.5×10∨5, and 1.1×10∨5 cells/ml, respectively.