Hong-Wei Yen1, I-Chen Hu2, Chun-Yen Chen3, and

Jo-Shu Chang4

xDepartment of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Tunghai University,

Taichung, Taiwan

2Far East Bio-Tec Co. Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan, Far East Microalgae Ind Co. Ltd.,

Ping-Tung, Taiwan

3Center for Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University

Tainan, Taiwan

^Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University,

Tainan, Taiwan

1.3 INTRODUCTION

Recently, microalgae have been recognized as a promising platform for biofuels produc­tion and biorefineries. Microalgae have very high growth rates compared with those of ter­restrial plants, thereby demonstrating high CO2 fixation efficiency and high biomass productivity. In addition, a wide range of applications of microalgae also addresses the high potential of commercialization of microalgae-based products, such as biofuels, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, animal and aquacultural feeds, and so on. One of the key technologies that support the development of the microalgae industry is the cultivation of microalgae on a large scale and at low cost. This microalgae cultivation technology is associated with the design of the type and configuration of open or closed cultivation systems and photobioreactors, as well as the identification of the operating con­ditions leading to the optimal growth performance of the target microalgae. In particular, producing biofuels from microalgae requires a massive amount of microalgae biomass. This demand makes the microalgae cultivation technology even more important. In this chapter, the principles and basic knowledge of microalgae growth and mass production are intro­duced. Commonly used cultivation systems and photobioreactors are described. Their advantages and weaknesses are compared. In addition, some examples of the commercial microalgae cultivation process for biofuels production are given to provide updates on the commercial development of microalgae-based biofuels. The limitations and challenges that large-scale microalgae cultivation may face are addressed and discussed.