Enhancement of Carbon Dioxide Fixation by Alteration of Illumination during Chlorella Vulgaris-Buitenzorg's Growth

Alteration of illumination with optimum carbon dioxide fixation-based curve in this research successfully enhanced the $CO_{2}-fixation\;(q_CO_{2}$ capability of Chlorella vulgaris Buitenzorg cultivated in a bubble column photo bioreactor. The level of $CO_{2}$ fixation was up to 1.91 times that observed from cultivation with intensification of illumination on an optimum growth-based curve. During 144 h of cultivation, alteration of light intensity on an optimum $CO_{2}-fixation-based$ curve produced a $q_CO_{2}$ of $12.8\;h^{-1}$. Meanwhile, alteration of light intensity with a growth-based curve only produced a $q_CO_{2}$ of $6.68\;h^{-1}$. Increases in light intensity based on a curve of optimum $CO_{2}-fixation$ produced a final cell concentration of about 5.78 g/L. Both cultivation methods were carried out under ambient pressure at a temperature of $29^{\circ}C$ with a superficial gas velocity of $2.4\;m/h(U_{G}$. Cells were grown on Beneck medium in a 1.0 L Bubble Column Photo bioreactor illuminated by a Phillips Halogen Lamp (20 W/12 V/50 Hz). The inlet gas had a carbon dioxide content of 10%.