Photobioreactors open-pond systems

There is the possibility that in a photobioreactor system, the oil and algae water may become an emulsion-type mixture and cause further separation problems. In an open pond system, a thick layer of oil may prevent the light penetrating to the algae and inhibit the algal growth. 

The increased productivities achievable in photobioreactors versus open ponds were demonstrated by Tredici and Materassi (1992). However, comparison of open pond systans and various photobioreactors for a number of species, including Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Tetraselmis chui and Spirulina spp., made by Lee (2001) showed that productivities from photobioreactors need not surpass those of open pond systems. More recent estimates of productivities (Chisti, 2007 Wiffjels and Barbosa, 2010) suggest that photobioreactors will be essential to achieve the high production necessary for commercial production of bioenergy and other bioproducts. 

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