Methodology for Algal Photobioreactor Design: Mathematical Modelling of Hydrodynamic Mixing and Prediction of Light Regime Parameters

Papáček, Š.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and process simulation are important tools for the design and optimisation of biochemical processes. In this contribution, the photobioreactor design methodology based on CFD is proposed. A widely used CFD package (Fluent 6.1, by Fluent Inc.) performs a numerical approximation of microalgae trajectory (pathline) inside tubular photobioreactor. Consequently, prediction of the level of hydrodynamic mixing and corresponding light regime inside the photobioreactor with effective use of strong light by high-density algal culture is possible. In the first approach, the algal suspension is considered as a single-phase incompressible viscous Newtonian fluid, which fills the whole section of the photobioreactor photic zone. Coupling the cell trajectories with the corresponding light conditions, the light histories of single cells are obtained. These records contain complete information about light regime in photobioreactor. Computer simulations for various photobioreactor design parameters and operating conditions allow to establish the quantitative relation between variables representing design and operating parameters and light regime parameters. Thus the problem of optimal PBR design could be resolved.

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