Feasibility of biodiesel production and CO(2) emission reduction by Monoraphidium dybowskii LB50 under semi-continuous culture with open raceway ponds in the desert area

BACKGROUND: Compared with other general energy crops, microalgae are more compatible with desert conditions. In addition, microalgae cultivated in desert regions can be used to develop biodiesel. Therefore, screening oil-rich microalgae, and researching the algae growth, CO(2) fixation and oil yield in desert areas not only effectively utilize the idle desertification lands and other resources, but also reduce CO(2) emission. RESULTS: Monoraphidium dybowskii LB50 can be efficiently cultured in the desert area using light resources, and lipid yield can be effectively improved using two-stage induction and semi-continuous culture modes in open raceway ponds (ORPs). Lipid content (LC) and lipid productivity (LP) were increased by 20% under two-stage industrial salt induction, whereas biomass productivity (BP) increased by 80% to enhance LP under semi-continuous mode in 5 m(2) ORPs. After 3 years of operation, M. dybowskii LB50 was successfully and stably cultivated under semi-continuous mode for a month during five cycles of repeated culture in a 200 m(2) ORP in the desert area. This culture mode reduced the supply of the original species. The BP and CO(2) fixation rate were maintained at 18 and 33 g m(−2) day(−1), respectively. Moreover, LC decreased only during the fifth cycle of repeated culture. Evaporation occurred at 0.9–1.8 L m(−2) day(−1), which corresponded to 6.5–13% of evaporation loss rate. Semi-continuous and two-stage salt induction culture modes can reduce energy consumption and increase energy balance through the energy consumption analysis of life cycle. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of combining biodiesel production and CO(2) fixation using microalgae grown as feedstock under culture modes with ORPs by using the resources in the desert area. The understanding of evaporation loss and the sustainability of semi-continuous culture render this approach practically viable. The novel strategy may be a promising alternative to existing technology for CO(2) emission reduction and biofuel production. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13068-018-1068-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.