[en] The development of photobioreactors optimized to increase the biomass production from phototrophic microalgae cultures assumes a major concern for the economic viability of different processes (biofuel production,
carbon dioxide mitigation, pigments...). The main aim of this study is to establish and validate a CFD hydrodynamic model for a flat panel airlift photobioreactor configuration. In this regard, experimental water flow rates
induced in the riser of the reactor and the liquid circulation were compared to the CFD solution obtained thanks to the Fluent® software. The numerical simulation results were relevant. Subsequently, cultures of Scenedesmus obliquus (CCAP 276/3A) were achieved to determine an optimal injected air flow rate for our configuration of photobioreactor. This air flowrate was 1.5 L·min-1. Measurement of the mass transfer coefficient (kLa) of carbon dioxide in the culture medium was 3.10-4 s-1 and the mixing time for this optimal operating condition is 312 s.
Disciplines :
Chemical engineering Biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology Zoology Physics
Author, co-author :
Massart, Amaury
Mirisola, Aldo ; Université de Mons > Faculté Polytechnique > Chimie et Biochimie appliquées
Lupant, Delphine ; Université de Mons > Faculté Polytechnique > Thermique et Combustion
Thomas, Diane ; Université de Mons > Faculté Polytechnique > Génie des Procédés chimiques et biochimiques
Hantson, Anne-Lise ; Université de Mons > Faculté Polytechnique > Chimie et Biochimie appliquées
Language :
English
Title :
Experimental characterization and numerical simulation of the hydrodynamics in an airlift photobioreactor for microalgae cultures
Publication date :
08 July 2014
Journal title :
Algal Research
ISSN :
2211-9264
Publisher :
Elsevier, Netherlands
Volume :
6
Pages :
201-217
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Research unit :
F504 - Chimie et Biochimie appliquées F505 - Génie des Procédés chimiques et biochimiques
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