ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the open cultivation systems and closed photobioreactors. Various kinds of open and closed photobioreactors are used for high microalgal biomass production. Various types of cultivation systems with different configurations are used for microalgal cultivation, such as simple open circular ponds, open raceway ponds, and complex enclosed systems referred to as closed photobioreactors. Open pond cultivation of microalgae is of mainly two types: circular ponds, and raceway ponds. Microalgae biomass yields are reported to be higher in closed photobioreactors compared to open ponds. Vertical tubular photobioreactors are made up of transparent vertical tubes through which light penetrates inside the tubes. Bubble Column Photobioreactors are of vertical column configuration and have height greater than the diameter. A flat panel photobioreactor can be made from materials like plexiglass, glass, and polycarbonates. Stirred tank photobioreactors are the most common and conventional photobioreactors. Soft-frame photobioreactors are mobile, foldable, and space saving.
