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Continuous hydrogen photoproduction by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Using a novel two-stage, sulfate-limited chemostat system

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Abstract

This study demonstrates, for the first time, that it is possible to couple sulfate-limited Chlamydomonas reinhardtii growth to continuous H2 photoproduction for more than 4000 h. A two-stage chemostat system physically separates photosynthetic growth from H2 production, and it incorporates two automated photobioreactors (PhBRs). In the first PhBR, the algal cultures are grown aerobically in chemostat mode under limited sulfate to obtain photosynthetically competent cells. Active cells are then continuously delivered to the second PhBR, where H2 production occurs under anaerobic conditions. The dependence of the H2 production rate on sulfate concentration in the medium, dilution rates in the PhBRs, and incident light intensity is reported.

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Author notes

  1. Sergey Kosourov

    Present address: Institute of Basic Biological Problems, RAS, 142290, Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Basic Science Center, 1617 Cole Boulevard, 80401, Golden, CO

    Alexander S. Fedorov, Sergey Kosourov, Maria L. Ghirardi & Michael Seibert

Authors
  1. Alexander S. Fedorov
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  2. Sergey Kosourov
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  3. Maria L. Ghirardi
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  4. Michael Seibert
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Correspondence to Maria L. Ghirardi.

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Fedorov, A.S., Kosourov, S., Ghirardi, M.L. et al. Continuous hydrogen photoproduction by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . Appl Biochem Biotechnol 121, 403–412 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1385/ABAB:121:1-3:0403

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/ABAB:121:1-3:0403

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