The mass transfer coefficient at different working temperatures is shown in Fig. 4.

It is
higher than expected and rather similar to the mass transfer coefficient of the injectors,
but less temperature dependent. It is assumed that the high turbulence in the small
raceway ponds, stirred by paddle-wheels, is the reason for the high mass transfer
coefficient. The running algal suspension is mixed thoroughly every 50 seconds by the
paddle-wheel, increasing considerably the gas exchange with the atmosphere. This is
merely a mechanical action and therefore independent of temperature or viscosity. The
mass transfer coefficient for sloping ponds has not yet been determined, but it should
be considerably lower due to the more calm liquid surface.
Some difficulties occurred with the determination of the mass transfer coefficient of
algal suspensions, particularly under conditions of carbon dioxide starvation. The
numerator of equation (7) implies the independent determination of the carbon dioxide
flow (Qt) and the variations of organic carbon (kCo) and the
carbonate pool (kQC), each subject to some errors. If the pH of the liquid rises or
drops over the range of 7.5 to 8.2 carbonates might precipitate or be redissolved.
Precipitated carbonates are not seized by the determination of the dissolved carbonates (QC), which means an additional error. Furthermore, under conditions of
carbon dioxide deficiency the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide (Cd)
adopts a value very close to the saturation concentration (C5,). In this case the denominator of equation (7) becomes extremely small and the errors are multiplied
to a high extent. In one case of an experiment in the critical range of pH and a
concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide very close to the saturation concentration,
i.e. under conditions where no mass transfer should be expected, an apparent mass
transfer coefficient as high as 5.1 m/niin was obtained. The accuracy of the determination of the mass transfer coefficient is increased, if the measurements are
taken under conditions of continuous carbon dioxide supply, at a stable pH and
with a concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide as far away as possible from the
saturation concentration in equilibrium with the atmosphere.

With the aid of the mass transfer coefficient (according to equation (1)) the
losses of carbon dioxide from the liquid surface to the atmosphere can be directly
estimated for different working conditions (Fig. 6). These losses are strongly inuenced by the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide. At temperatures between
25 and 30 C the recommended maximum concentration of 1.5 mM of carbon
dioxide per liter (Livansky 8: Prokes 1974) will cause losses around 7 mM/m2 - min.
That means that about 185 g of carbon dioxide are lost per square meter of cultivation area during an operation period of 10 hours. Assuming an algal growth rate of

25 g/m2 - d, which corresponds to a carbon dioxide demand of 45 g/mz d, such

losses result in a carbon dioxide utilization of not more than 20 %. At the suggested
minimum concentration of 0.2 mM/l about 21 g of carbon dioxide per square meter
are lost. Assuming a completely carbon dioxide free culture medium the low

108 V. Vasquez and P. Heussler

atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration would only contribute 0.04 to 0.05 mMl
m7 min or 1.0 to 1.3 g of carbon dioxide per square meter in 10 hours. This
values are far too low to sustain an intense algal growth.

0
E
E
"E
E -5
.5.
15 C
20
25
_1 O 30 Fig. 6. Carbon dioxide ow (Qp) between
35 the algal suspension surface and the
- - - - - n - - I - atmosphere at different concentrations
0 1-0 2-0 of dissolved carbon dioxide and at difDissolved CO2 (mM/l) ferent temperatures.

As the mass transfer coefficient is not affected by the composition or algal

biomass content of the liquid culture medium, those desorption losses occur always, if the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide is superior to the saturation
concentration in equilibrium with the atmosphere. However. the concentrations of

the individual carbonates in the medium are highly affected by the particular
working conditions. The water of our experimental plant at Casa Grande contains a
considerable amount of calcium and magnesium which at higher pH values might
precipitate as insoluble carbonates. Other ions added as nutrients alter the chemical
characteristics of the water. The intensely growing algal culture has a high demand
of carbon dioxide. The whole system is exposed to the open atmosphere and the
varying illumination and temperature during day and night. Under those conditions
strong variations of the carbon dioxide concentration, and as a consequence marked
changes of carbon dioxide flow between the injectors. the medium, and the atmosphere takes place. Therefore, a carbon dioxide balance valid for any condition
cannot be given. The fluctuations of the concentrations of carbonates and free
dissolved carbon dioxide have to be studied under the inuence of external and
internal factors. The minimum carbon dioxide concentration for optimum algal
growth has to be known and maintained.

In a stirred pond, filled with tap water or nutrient medium with or without the
addition of hydrochloric acid and without carbon dioxide supply, within 2.5 hours
the carbon dioxide content decreased by a factor of about 10 close to the saturation
concentration (Fig. 7).