Productivity and photosynthetic efficiency of Spirulina platensis as affected by light intensity, algal density and rate of mixing in a flat plate photobioreactor

The effect of the rate of mixing on productivity of algal mass in relation to photon flux density and algal concentration was quantitatively evaluated in cultures of Spirulina platensis grown in a newly designed flat-plate photobioreactor. Special emphasis was placed on elucidating the principles underlying efficient utilization of high photon flux density for maximal productivity of algal-mass. Whereas the rate of mixing exerted little influence on productivity and photosynthetic efficiency in cultures of relatively low algal density, its effect became ever more significant as algal concentration was increased. Maximal mixing-enhanced cell concentrations and productivity of biomass were obtained at the highest light intensity used. At each level of incident light intensity, maximum productivity and photosynthetic efficiency could be achieved only when algal concentration and mixing rates were optimized. The higher the intensity of the light source, the higher became the optimal culture density, highest algal concentrations and productivity of biomass being obtained at the highest light intensity used. The rate of mixing required careful optimization: when too low maximal productivity resulting from the most efficient utilization of light could not be obtained. Too high a rate of mixing resulted in cell damage and reduced output rate.