The use of first-principles mathematical models to describe bio-chemical phenomena is paramount to the effective development of microalgae processes. Model-based design of experiments (MBDoE) represents a valuable tool providing several methodologies that assist the model-building strategy of such complex mathematical models. The objective is to design experiments (or campaigns of experiments) that will provide the
The optimization of microalgae cultivation has been occurring on two levels, genetically modified strains, and advanced control systems. On one side, the genetic modification of microalgae is aimed to enhance or modify the metabolic activity for biotechnological exploitation.
The establishment of algae based production processes for application in different goods such as food, feed, nutritional supplements, medicine, fuel or platform chemicals is increasingly gaining more attention. A main reason for this development might be due to the crescent need to replace conventional industrial processes with more sustainable ways of production.
Microalgae have multiple applications in many diverse sectors that already make their cultivation profitable, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or food supplements. One of the most appealing applications of microalgae lies on the energy sector because of microalgae’s high lipid content and renewable nature.
Microalgae processes exhibit a remarkable complexity due to the interaction of multiple phenomena that span multiple time scales, ranging from milliseconds to days, and from nanometres to hundreds of meters in industrial plants, involving quantum phenomena, cell metabolism, turbulence and fluid flow behaviour, light diffusion, mass and energy transport phenomena, interactions with the equipment design,
