Course
Microalgae Process Design: from cells to photobioreactors
This course provides the essential skills for designing microalgae-based production processes, for both research and commercial purposes.
Background
Microalgae and cyanobacteria have the potential to produce a wide variety of products using light as the only source of energy to fuel metabolism. Among these products are polyunsaturated fatty acids, pigments and therapeutic proteins. In addition to these high-value products, microalgae are regarded as one of the most promising resources for the production of bulk products such as food and feed lipids, food and feed proteins, base chemicals and energy sources for the industry, and on a longer term biofuels. To make economical large-scale production of such bulk products possible, the cost price for production needs to be reduced, the scale of production needs to be increased substantially and the biomass value should be maximized.
In this course “Microalgae Process Design: from cells to photobioreactors” the biology and cultivation part are covered. Special emphasis is given to light-limited growth and how this affects reactor design and operation. In addition, gas-liquid transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide is covered as well as techno-economic aspects of scale-up. Finally, the potential of strain improvement with respect to biomass productivity and product accumulation will be addressed.
Target group
The course is aimed at PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and professionals from both academia and industry, who would like to acquire a thorough understanding of microalgal metabolism and photobioreactor design and operation. An MSc level in bioprocess technology, or alike, is recommended.
Course aim
This course provides the essential skills for designing optimal microalgae-based production processes, for both research and commercial purposes.
Course design
Through lectures, digital cases and a photobioreactor practical, the participants will learn:
- to quantify light-limited growth in photobioreactors,
- to recognize the potential and be acquainted with different approaches of strain selection and improvement, for biomass
production and product accumulation - to apply basic design principles and set up mass/energy balances for photobioreactors,
- to cultivate microalgae in fully controlled photobioreactors,
- to integrate the acquired knowledge into efficient production strategies for microalgae,
- to evaluate the impact of process parameters on production costs including the aspect of scale.
Lecturers and Organisation
Course coordinator
- Prof. Maria Barbosa, Bioprocess Engineering - AlgaePARC, Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands
Other faculty
- Dr Marcel Janssen, Bioprocess Engineering - AlgaePARC, Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands
- Dr Sarah D'Adamo, Bioprocess Engineering - AlgaePARC, Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands
- Prof. René Wijffels, Bioprocess Engineering - AlgaePARC, Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands
Date & duration
The course will be held from 28 June - 5 July 2024, 8 days.
Study load
The study load of this course is 2.3 ECTS credits.
Language
The course language will be English.
Contact information
Information concerning the course contents can be obtained from Prof. Maria Barbosa, phone: +31 317 480079 and Dr Marcel Janssen, phone: +31 317 484708
For organisational matters please contact:
Mrs. Yvonne Smolders
Email: yvonne.smolders@wur.nl
Location & accommodation
Lectures and practicals will be given at:
Campus Wageningen University & Research
The town of Wageningen is 5 km from Ede-Wageningen railway station, with transport options being taxi or bus. This railway station can be reached by train from the airport Schiphol in about one hour. For train schedules visit: www.ns.nl.
Accommodations in Wageningen should be arranged separately, suggestions are listed below:
Hotels:
Other accommodation:
Registration & course fee
To register please complete the registration form.
The final registration date is 28 May 2024.
Course fee includes digital course materials, coffee/tea during breaks, lunches, and two dinners, but does not cover accommodation. The course fee depends on the participant's affiliation.
| VLAG/WUR* PhD candidates | € 425 |
| All other PhD candidates and VLAG postdocs & staff | € 650 |
| University Staff / Non-Profit organisations | € 1025 |
| Industry / For-Profit | € 2800 |
* VLAG/EPS/PE&RC/WASS/WIAS/WIMEK PhD candidates with an approved TSP.
We can offer a discount in total course fee when taking this course together with the course on Algae Biorefinery from 8-11 July 2024. Please contact Yvonne Smolders for more information.
Cancellation policy
After acceptance of your registration, the VLAG Cancellation Conditions for course participants will apply.