| Summary: | In this work, the previously proposed Fibonacci-type photobioreactor is scaled up and evaluated
to produce Dunaliella salina. First, the composition of the culture medium
was optimized to achieve maximal productivity. Next, the Fibonacci-type reactor was scaled up to
1,250 L maintaining high solar radiation interception capacity of this type of reactor. Finally, the
performance of the reactor for the production of green cells of Dunaliella salina at the
environmental conditions prevailing in the Atacama Desert was evaluated. Data demonstrated
that the proposed photobioreactor allows the temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen
concentration to be maintained within the optimal ranges recommended for the selected strain.
Both better exposure to solar radiation and photonic flow dilution avoids the use of a cooling
systems to prevent overheating under outdoor conditions. The system allows up to 60% more
solar radiation to be intercepted than does the horizontal surface. Likewise, allowing to maintain
the pH efficiently through 100% CO 2 Injection and to keep the dissolved oxygen
concentration in acceptable ranges, thanks to its adequate mass transfer capacity.
The biomass concentration reached up to 0.964 g·L -1 , three-times higher than that obtained in a
raceway reactor under the same environmental conditions, whereas productivity was up to 0.12
g/L·day (2.41 g/m 2 ·day). Maximum specific outdoor growth rates reached up to 0.17 day -1 .
Undoubtedly, this technology scaled up constitutes a new type of photobioreactor for use at the
industrial scale since it is capable of maximizing biomass productivity under high light conditions.
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