Microalgal Cultivation Reactor Systems - Biotechnological Applications of Microalgae - page 69

TABLE 5.4
Comparison of Main Design Features of Various Reactor Types
Reactor Type Raceway Vertical Column or Airlift Horizontal Tubular Helical Tubular Flat Plate Stirred Tank

Mixing Fair Good Uniform Uniform Largely uniform Largely uniform

Gas transfer Poor Good Low to high along

length of tube

Low to high along
length of tube

Good Low to high

Hydrodynamic stress Low Low Low to high depending

on pumping system

Low to high depending
on pumping system

Low High

Light harvesting
eficiency
(area:volume ratio)

Fair, depending
on depth

Good at low volume; poor
at high volume

Excellent at narrow
diameter

Excellent at narrow
diameter

Excellent at
narrow
diameter

Poor

Temperature control None Good Good Good Good Good

Species control Dificult Easy Easy Easy Easy Easy

Sterility None Easily achievable Potentially achievable Potentially achievable Potentially

achievable

Easily
achievable

Land area required Large Small Large Medium Small Small

Source: From Borowitzka (1999); Carvalho et al. (2006).