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@INPROCEEDINGS{Loomba:827124,
author = {Loomba, Varun and Huber, Gregor and von Lieres, Eric},
title = {{C}omputational analysis of hydrodynamics and light
distribution in photo-bioreactors for algae biomass
production},
school = {RWTH Aachen},
reportid = {FZJ-2017-01322},
year = {2016},
abstract = {Microalgae can be directly used in health food or as
bio-filters for waste water treatment. They also have
numerous commercial applications in cosmetics, aquaculture
and chemical industry as a source of highly valuable
molecules, e.g., polyunsaturated fatty acids [1]. Moreover,
they are increasingly recognized as a promising source for
biodiesel production [2]. To realize the full potential of
microalgae, optimal operating conditions for their
cultivation in photo-bioreactors (PBR) need to be identified
in order to maximize productivity, lipid content, and
efficiency of photosynthesis. The most important parameters
affecting PBR performance are reactor shape, light intensity
distribution, algae growth and other metabolic
properties.The presented study aims at optimizing these
parameters using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
simulations with the COMSOL Multiphysics software.
Specifically, flat panel photo-bioreactors with turbulent
mixing due to air sparging and one-sided lighting are
studied. First, flow profiles of both liquid and gas phases
are computed using the Euler-Euler approach for analyzing
the air sparging and detecting potential dead zones. Then,
light intensity distributions are calculated inside
different PBR types, based on absorption and light
scattering by algae and gas bubbles. Subsequently, the paths
of individual algae are traced, and the environmental
conditions they are exposed to are recorded over time, in
particular aeration and light intensity. Results of the
above described simulation stages will be presented and
discussed.[1] Spolaore et al.: Commercial applications of
microalgae, J. Biosci. Bioeng. 101 (2006): 87-96.[2] Bitog
et al.: Application of computational fluid dynamics for
modeling and designing photobioreactors for microalgae
production: A review, Comput. Electron. Agr. 76 (2011):
131-147.},
month = {Apr},
date = {2016-04-26},
organization = {European Networks Conference on Algal
and Plant Photosynthesis, Malta
(Malta), 26 Apr 2016 - 29 Apr 2016},
subtyp = {Other},
cin = {IBG-2 / IBG-1},
cid = {I:(DE-Juel1)IBG-2-20101118 / I:(DE-Juel1)IBG-1-20101118},
pnm = {582 - Plant Science (POF3-582)},
pid = {G:(DE-HGF)POF3-582},
typ = {PUB:(DE-HGF)24},
url = {https://juser.fz-juelich.de/record/827124},
}