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SMORP

Integrated CO2 biofilter and microalgae biomass production technology for biogas plants using novel Stacked Modular Open Raceway Pond approach (SMORP)

The overall objective is to develop a new hybrid microalgae cultivation technology for 3rd generation biomass production with high productivity that can be directly integrated in agricultural biogas plants, thus mitigating food-energy dilemma. Moreover, the proposed technology can solve parts of the main environmental drawbacks from the anaerobic digestion related to the management and disposal of the digested biomass (digestate) and effective reuse of CO2 through the microalgae biomass production. By combining current state of the art photo-bioreactor technologies with best open raceway pond (ORWP) practice and furthermore improving ORWP combined (natural and artificial) lighting conditions, media volume mixing technologies, CO2 injection technologies, and systems general geometrical design – we aim to: improve CO2 absorptions efficiency by at least 30%, improve microalgae growth rates by 50%, increase overall biomass yield about two times, reduce the required ORWP area of land by 40% and ensure stable production all year round despite changing seasons.

PROJECT FUNDED BY:

Latvia’s state budget Fundamental and Applied Research Project LZP-2018/1-0426

PROJECT DURATION:

From 31st of August 2018 until 31st of August 2021

PROJECT BUDGET:

255 085 EUR

SCIENTIFIC LEADER OF THE PROJECT:

Francesco Romagnoli

PUBLISHED:

10.12.2018.

SCIENTIFIC COMUNICATION

ZINĀTNISKĀS PUBLIKĀCIJAS

  1. Ieviņa, B., Romagnoli, F. Microalga Chlorella Vulgaris 211/11j as a Promising Strain for Low Temperature Climate. Journal of Applied Phycology, 2024, Vol. 1, No. 1, 0.-0.lpp. ISSN 0921-8971. Pieejams: doi:10.1007/s10811-024-03192-3
  2. Romagnoli, F., Spaccini, F., Boggia, A., Paoli, R., Feofilovs, M., Ieviņa, B., Rocchi, L. Microalgae Cultivation in a Biogas Plant: Environmental and Economic Assessment through a Life Cycle Approach. Biomass and Bioenergy, 2024, Vol. 182, Article number 107116. ISSN 0961-9534. Available from: doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2024.107116
  3. Ieviņa, B., Romagnoli, F. Unveiling Underlying Factors for Optimizing Light Spectrum to Enhance Microalgae Growth. Bioresource Technology, 2025, Vol. 418, Article number 131980. ISSN 0960-8524. e-ISSN 1873-2976. Pieejams: doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131980
  4. Romagnoli, F., Weerasuriya-Arachchige, A.R.P.P., Paoli, R., Feofilovs, M., Ievina, B. Growth Kinetic Model for Microalgae Cultivation in Open Raceway Ponds: A System Dynamics Tool (2021) Environmental and Climate Technologies, 25 (1), pp. 1317 – 1336. https://doi.org/10.2478/rtuect-2021-0100 (Publicēts: 2021.12.30.)
  5. Ievina B., Romagnoli F. 2020. Potential of Chlorella Species as Feedstock for Bioenergy Production: A Review. Environmental and Climate Technologies, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 203–220. https://doi.org/10.2478/rtuect-2020-0067
  6. Romagnoli F., Ievina B., Perera W.A.A.R.P., Ferrari D. 2020. Novel Stacked Modular Open Raceway Ponds for Microalgae Biomass Cultivation in Biogas Plants: Preliminary Design and Modelling. Environmental and Climate Technologies 2020, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 1–19. https://doi.org/10.2478/rtuect-2020-0050
  7. Ievina B., Romagnoli F. 2020. Effect of light intensity on the growth of three microalgae in laboratory batch cultures. The European Biomass Conference and Exhibition proceedings 2020, pp. 169-175.
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