Amir Shirzadi - M.sc Chemical Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
Reza Gheshlaghi - Department of Chemical Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
Mahmood Akhavan Mahdavi - Department of Chemical Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

In the present study, the influence of aeration rate on lipid and biomass production of Chlorella vulgaris microalgae cultivated in municipal wastewater in a 50-liter flat plate photobioreactor (PBR) was investigated. The microalgae was a local strain isolated from Parkandabad wastewater treatment facility, Mashhad. It was cultivated in municipal wastewater under the 16:8 light/dark cycle at a constant temperature of 27±1 ˚C. For the optimal operation of PBRs, turbulent mixing has been recognized as an important factor in determining the overall performance of the PBRs. Two experiments with aeration rates of 240 l/hr (0.08 vvm) and 480 l/hr (0.16 vvm) were carried out. The biomass concentration of 0.540 g/l and lipid content of 21% were obtained with the lower aeration rate, while those of higher aeration rate were 0.910 g/l and 22%, respectively. The findings revealed that higher aeration rate had a significant effect on biomass production, while had no effect on lipid content.

Chlorella vulgaris, Microalgae, Aeration rate, Biomass, Lipid content