11 Case study VI: CO₂ sequestration in microalgae photobioreactors

In this chapter, we explore the main guidelines and methods helping researchers, photo-bioreactors designers and technology providers, and algae-based projects developers to achieve adequate scale-up for their solutions through the implementation of the iterative scale-up methodology, providing a better assessment of the scaling risks of failure. First, we tackle the strong physico-chemical complex phenomena resulting from multi-way coupling between transport processes (mass transfer and hydrodynamics essentially) and light assimilation inside the reactor and provide the appropriate tools to generate sufficient and relevant information, weigh risks and deal with them with anticipation. We then focus on generic, manageable and appropriate computational strategies aiming to facilitate the design of a scalable process from ideation, to simulation, sizing and optimization. Engineering approach to the physical phenomena taking place during the biomass production phase will be provided as well as the wider framework of projects acceptability and life cycle assessment. Finally, industrial scale-up case studies will highlight learning points from both successes and failures in the algae-based industry.