Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Simulation of algal photobioreactors: recent developments and challenges

  • Review
  • Published:
Biotechnology Letters Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Widespread cultivation of phototrophic microalgae for sustainable production of a variety of renewable products, for wastewater treatment, and for atmospheric carbon mitigation requires not only improved microorganisms but also significant improvements to process design and scaleup. The development of simulation tools capable of providing quantitative predictions for photobioreactor performance could contribute to improved reactor designs and it could also support process scaleup, as it has in the traditional petro-chemical industries. However, the complicated dependence of cell function on conditions in the microenvironment, such as light availability, temperature, nutrient concentration, and shear strain rate render simulation of photobioreactors much more difficult than chemical reactors. Although photobioreactor models with sufficient predictive ability suitable for reactor design and scaleup do not currently exist, progress towards this goal has occurred in recent years. The current status of algal photobioreactor simulations is reviewed here, with an emphasis on the integration of and interplay between sub-models describing hydrodynamics, radiation transport, and microalgal growth kinetics. Some limitations of widely used models and computational methods are identified, as well as current challenges and opportunities for the advancement of algal photobioreactor simulation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

a :

Volumetric light attenuation coefficient

a a :

Light absorption coefficient

C b :

Biomass concentration

D a,e :

Effective turbulent diffusivity

I :

Photon flux

I 0 :

Incident photon flux

L:

Light-path length

n :

Index of refraction

\(R_{{x_{i} }}\) :

Reaction rate of state i

\(\vec{r}\) :

Position vector

\(\vec{s}\) :

Light path direction vector

T:

Temperature

xi :

Mass fraction of photosynthetic unit state i

\(\vec{u}_{s}\) :

Solid phase velocity

α s :

Solid phase volume fraction

α 1, α 2 :

Coefficients for two-flux model

λ:

Light wavelength

Ω:

Solid angle

σ:

Stefan–Boltzmann constant

\(\sigma_{s}\) :

Light scattering coefficient

ρs :

Solid phase density

\(\phi_{\lambda }\) :

Wavelength-dependent phase function

µ :

Light extinction coefficient

References

  • Acién Fernández FG, García Camacho F, Sánchez Pérez JA, Fernández Sevilla JM, Molina Grima E (1997) A model for light distribution and average solar irradiance inside outdoor tubular photobioreactors for microalgal mass culture. Biotechnol Bioeng 55:701–704

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bari GS, Suess TN, Anderson GA, Gent SP (2014) Predicting hydrodynamic and heat transfer effects of sparger geometry and placement within a column photobioreactor using computational fluid dynamics. J Fuel Cell Sci Technol 11:031010

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bari GS, Suess TN, Anderson GA, Gent SP (2015) Hydrodynamic and heat transfer effects of varying sparger spacing within a column photobioreactor using computational fluid dynamics. J Fuel Cell Sci Technol 12(1):011004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Béchet Q, Shilton A, Guieysse B (2013) Modeling the effects of light and temperature on algae growth: state of the art and critical assessment for productivity prediction during outdoor cultivation. Biotechnol Adv 31:1648–1663

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Béchet Q, Shilton A, Park JB, Craggs RJ, Guieysse B (2011) Universal temperature model for shallow algal ponds provides improved accuracy. Environ Sci Technol 45(8):3702–3709

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bernardi A, Perin G, Sforza E, Galvanin F, Morosinotto T, Bezzo F (2014) An identifiable state model to describe light intensity influence on microalgae growth. Ind Eng Chem Res 53:6738–6749

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bitog JPP, Lee IB, Oh HM, Hong SW, Seo IH, Kwon KS (2014) Optimised hydrodynamic parameters for the design of photobioreactors using computational fluid dynamics and experimental validation. Biosyst Eng 122:42–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Camacho Rubio F, Garcia Camacho F, Fernandez Sevilla JM, Christi Y, Molina Grima E (2003) A mechanicistic model of photosynthesis in microalgae. Biotechnol Bioeng 81:459–473

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Z, Jiang Z, Zhang X, Zhang J (2016) Numerical and experimental study on the CO2 gas-liquid mass transfer in flat-plate airlift photobioreactor with different baffles. Biochem Eng J 106(15):129–138

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng W, Huang J, Chen J (2016) Computational fluid dynamics simulation of mixing characteristics and light regime in tubular photobioreactors with novel static mixers. J Chem Technol Biotechnol 91:327–335

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cornet JF, Dussap CG, Gros JB (1994) Conversion of radiant light energy in photobioreactors. AIChE J 40(6):1055–1066

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cornet JF, Dussap CG, Gros JB (1995) A simplified monodimensional approach for modeling coupling between radiant light transfer and growth kinetics in photobioreactors. Chem Eng Sci 50(9):1489–1500

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cornet JF, Dussap CG (1998) Gros JB (1998) Kinetics and energetics of photosynthetic micro-organisms in photobioreactors: application to Spirulina growth. Adv Biochem Eng 59:155–224

    Google Scholar 

  • Csogör Z, Herrenbauer M, Schmidt K, Posten C (2001) Light distribution in a novel photobioreactor—modeling for optimization. J Appl Physiol 13:325–333

    Google Scholar 

  • Delafosse A, Calvo S, Collignon ML, Delvigne F, Crine M, Thonart P, Toye D (2014) CFD-based compartment model for description of mixing in bioreactors. Chem Eng Sci 106:76–85

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Delafosse A, Calvo S, Collignon ML, Delvigne F, Crine M, Toye D (2015) Eulere Lagrange approach to model heterogeneities in stirred tank bioreactors—comparison to experimental flow characterization and particle tracking. Chem Eng Sci 134:457–466

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duran JE, Taghipour F, Mohseni M (2010) Irradiance modeling in annular photoreactors using the finite-volume method. J Photochem Photobiol A 215(1):81–89

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eilers PHC, Peeters JCH (1988) A model for the relationship between light intensity and the rate of photosynthesis in phytoplankton. Ecol Model 42:199–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eilers PHC, Peeters JCH (1993) Dynamic behavior of a model for photosynthesis and photoinhibition. Ecol Model 69:113–133

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao X, Kong B, Ramezani M, Olsen MG, Vigil RD (2015a) An adaptive model for gas-liquid mass transfer in a Taylor vortex reactor. Int J Heat Mass Transfer 91:433–446

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao X, Kong B, Vigil RD (2015b) Characteristic time scales of mixing, mass transfer and biomass growth in a Taylor vortex algal photobioreactor. Bioresour Technol 198:283–291

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gao X, Kong B, Vigil RD (2015c) CFD investigation of bubble effects on Tayor-Couette flow patterns in the weakly turbulent vortex regime. Chem Eng J 270:508–518

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao X, Kong B, Vigil RD (2016a) CFD investigation of bubbly turbulent Tayor–Couette flow. Chin J Chem Eng 24:719–727

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao X, Kong B, Vigil RD (2016b) Comprehensive computational model for combining fluid hydrodynamics, light transport and biomass growth in a Taylor vortex algal photobioreactor: Lagrangian approach. Bioresour Technol 224:523–530

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao X, Kong B, Vigil RD (2017) Comprehensive computational model for combining fluid hydrodynamics, light transport and biomass growth in a Taylor vortex algal photobioreactor: Eulerian approach. Algal Res 24:1–8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao X, Kong B, Vigil RD (2018) Multiphysics simulation of biomass growth in an airlift photobioreactor: Effect of fluid mixing and shear stress. Bioresour Technol 251:75–83

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Camacho F, Sanchez-Miron A, Molina-Grima E, Camacho-Rubio F, Merchuck J (2012) A mechanistic model of photosynthesis in microalgae including photoacclimation dynamics. J Theor Biol 304:1–15

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Ochoa F, Gomez E (2009) Bioreactor scale-up and oxygen transfer rate in microbial processes: an overview. Biotechnol Adv 27:153–176

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gerdes C, Suess T, Anderson G, Gent S (2014) Investigation of hydrodynamics and heat transfer effects due to light guides in a column photobioreactor. J Fuel Cell Sci Technol 11:041002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gómez-Pérez CA, Espinosa J, Montenegro Ruiz LC, van Boxtela AJB (2015) CFD simulation for reduced energy costs in tubular photobioreactors using wall turbulence promoters. Algal Res 12:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han BP (2001) Photosynthesis-irradiance response at physiological level: A mechanicistic model. J Theor Biol 148:121–127

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han BP (2002) A mechanistic model of algal photoinhibition induced by photodamage to Photosystem-II. J Theor Biol 214:519–527

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Han BP, Virtanen M, Koponen J, Straškraba M (2000) Effect of photoinhibition on algal photosynthesis: a dynamic model. J Plankton Res 22(5):865–885

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heinrich JM, Niizawa I, Botta FA, Trombert AR, Irazoqui HA (2012) Analysis and design of photobioreactors for microalgae production I: experimental validation of a radiation field simulator based on a Monte Carlo algorithm. Photochem Photobiol 88:952–960

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Higbie R (1935) The rate of absorption of a pure gas into the still liquid during short periods of exposure. Trans Am Inst Chem Eng 31:365

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hreiz R, Sialve B, Morchain J, Escudié R, Steyer JP, Guiraud P (2014) Experimental and numerical investigation of hydrodynamics in raceway reactors used for algaculture. Chem Eng J 250:230–239

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang J, Feng F, Wan M, Ying J, Li Y, Qu X, Pan H, Shen G, Li W (2015a) Improving performance of flat-plate photobioreactors by installation of novel internal mixers optimized with computational fluid dynamics. Bioresour Technol 182:151–159

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huang J, Kang S, Wan M, Li Y, Qu X, Feng F, Wang J, Wang W, Shen G, Li W (2015b) Numerical and experimental study on the performance of flat-plate photobioreactors with different inner structures for microalgae cultivation. J Appl Phycol 27:49–58

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang J, Li Y, Wan M, Yan Y, Feng F, Qu X, Wang J, Shen G, Li W, Fan J, Wang W (2014) Novel flat-plate photobioreactors for microalgae cultivation with special mixers to promote mixing along the light gradient. Bioresour Technol 159:8–16

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huang J, Qu X, Wan M, Ying J, Li Y, Zhu F, Wang J, Shen G, Chen J, Li W (2015c) Investigation on the performance of raceway ponds with internal structures by the means of CFD simulations and experiments. Algal Res 10:64–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang Q, Liu T, Yang J, Yao L, Gao L (2011) Evaluation of radiative transfer using the finite volume method in cylindrical photoreactors. Chem Eng Sci 66(17):3930–3940

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang Q, Yang C, Yu G, Mao ZS (2010) CFD simulation of hydrodynamics and mass transfer in an internal airlift loop reactor using a steady two-fluid model. Chem Eng Sci 65(20):5527–5536

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Janssen M (2016) Microalgal photosynthesis and growth in mass culture. Academic Press, San Diego

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Joshi JB, Sharma MM (1979) A circulation cell model for bubble columns. Transac Inst Chem Eng 57:244–251

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jupsin H, Praet E, Vasel JL (2003) Dynamic mathematical model of high rate algal ponds (HRAP). Water Sci Technol 48(2):197–204

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kawase Y, Halard B, Moo-Young M (1987) Theoretical prediction of volumetric mass transfer coefficients in bubble columns for Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. Chem Eng Sci 42(7):1609–1617

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kawase Y, Hashiguchi N (1996) Gas-liquid mass transfer in external-loop airlift columns with newtonian and non-newtonian fluids. Chem Eng J 62(1):35–42

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kong B, Shanks JV, Vigil RD (2013) Enhanced algal growth rate in a Taylor vortex reactor. Biotechnol Bioeng 110:2140–2149

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kong B, Vigil RD (2013) Light-limited continuous culture of Chlorella vulgaris in a Taylor vortex reactor. Environ Prog Sustain Energy 32:884–890

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kong B, Vigil RD (2014) Simulation of photosynthetically active radiation distribution in algal photobioreactors using a multidimensional spectral radiation model. Bioresour Technol 158:141–148

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kraakman NJ, Rocha-Rios J, van Loosdrecht MC (2011) Review of mass transfer aspects for biological gas treatment. Appl Microbiol Biot 91:873–886

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kroon BMA, Thoms S (2006) From electron to biomass: a mechanistic model to describe phytoplankton photosynthesis and steady-state growth rates. J Phycol 42:593–609

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krujatz F, Illing R, Krautwer T, Liao J, Helbig K, Goy K, Opitz J, Cuniberti G, Bley T, Weber J (2015) Light-field-characterization in a continuous hydrogen-producing photobioreactor by optical simulation and computational fluid dynamics. Biotechnol Bioeng 112:2439–2449

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lamont JC, Scott D (1970) An eddy cell model of mass transfer into the surface of a turbulent liquid. AIChE J 16(4):513–519

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee HY, Erickson LE, Yang SS (1987) Kinetics and bioenergetics of light-limited photoautotrophic growth of Spirulina platensis. Biotechnol Bioeng 29:832–843

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li Q, Zhao X, Cheng K, Du W, Liu D (2013) Simulation and experimentation on the gas holdup characteristics of a novel oscillating airlift loop reactor. J Chem Technol Biotechnol 88:704–710

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Linek V, Kordač M, Fujasová M, Moucha T (2004) Gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient in stirred tanks interpreted through models of idealized eddy structure of turbulence in the bubble vicinity. Chem Eng Proc Intensif 43:1511–1517

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luo HP, Al-Dahhan MH (2004) Analyzing and modeling of photobioreactors by combining first principles of physiology and hydrodynamics. Biotechnol Bioeng 85(4):382–393

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Luo HP, Al-Dahhan MH (2011) CFD simulations for local flow dynamics in a draft tube airlift bioreactor. Chem Eng Sci 66(5):907–923

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luo HP, Al-Dahhan MH (2012) Airlift column photobioreactors for Porphyridium sp. culturing: Part II. Verification of dynamic growth rate model for reactor performance evaluation. Biotechnol Bioeng 109(4):942–949

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall HL, Geider RJ, Flynn KJ (2000) A mechanistic model of photoinhibition. New Phytol 145:347–359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall JS, Sala K (2011) A stochastic Lagrangian approach for simulating the effect of turbulent mixing on algae growth rate in a photobioreactor. Chem Eng Sci 66:384–392

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Massart A, Mirisola A, Lupant D (2014) Experimental characterization and numerical simulation of the hydrodynamics in an airlift photobioreactor for microalgae culture. Algal Res 6:210–217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meng C, Huang J, Ye C (2015) Comparing the performances of circular ponds with different impellers by CFD simulation and microalgae culture experiments. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 38:1347–1363

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moberg AK, Ellem GK, Jameson GJ, Herbertson JG (2012) Simulated cell trajectories in a stratified gas-liquid flow tubular photobioreactor. J Appl Phycol 24:357–363

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mortuza SM, Gent SP, Kommareddy A, Anderson GA (2012) Investigation of bubble and fluid flow patterns within a column photobioreactor. J Fuel Cell Sci Technol 9:031006

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muller-Feuga A, Le Guédes R, Pruvost J (2003) Benefits and limitations of modeling for optimization of Porphyridium cruentum cultures in an annular photobioreactor. J Biotech 103:153–163

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nauha EK, Alopaeus V (2013) Modeling method for combining fluid dynamics and algal growth in a bubble column photobioreactor. Chem Eng J 229:559–568

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nauha EK, Alopaeus V (2015) Modeling outdoors algal cultivation with compartmental approach. Chem Eng J 259:945–960

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nikolaou A, Bernardi A, Meneghesso A, Bezzo F, Morosinotto T, Chachuat B (2015) A model of chlorophyll fluorescence in microalgae integrating photoproduction, photoinhibition and photoregulation. J Biotech 194:91–99

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nikolaou A, Hartmann P, Sciandra A, Chachuat B, Bernard O (2016) Dynamic coupling of photoacclimation and photoinhibition in a model of microalgae growth. J Theor Biol 390:61–72

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Olivieri G, Gargiulo L, Lettieri P, Mazzei L, Salatino P, Marzocchella A (2015) Photobioreactors for microalgal cultures: A lagrangian model coupling hydrodynamics and kinetics. Biotechnol Progr 31(5):1259–1272

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pahlow M (2005) Linking chlorophyll-nutrient dynamics to the Redfield N: C ratio with a model of optimal phytoplankton growth. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 287:33–43

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pahlow M, Oschlies A (2009) Chain model of phytoplankton P, N and light colimitation. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 376:69–83

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Papáček Š, Jablonský J, Petera K, Rehák B, Matonoha C (2014) Modeling and optimization of microalgae growth in photobioreactors: a multidisciplinary problem. Interdiscip Symp Complex Syst 14:277–286

    Google Scholar 

  • Papadakis I, Kotzabasis K, Lika K (2012) Modeling the dynamic modulation of the light energy in photosynthetic algae. J Theor Biol 300:254–264

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Park S, Li Y (2015) Integration of biological kinetics and computational fluid dynamics to model the growth of nannochloropsis salina in an open channel raceway. Biotechnol Bioeng 112:923–933

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pottier L, Pruvost J, Deremetz J, Cornet JF, Legrand J, Dussap CG (2005) A fully predictive model for one-dimensional light attenuation by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in a torus reactor. Biotechnol Bioeng 91(5):569–582

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prussi M, Buffi M, Casini D, Chiaramonti D, Martelli F, Carnevale M, Tredici RM, Rodolfi L (2014) Experimental and numerical investigations of mixing in raceway ponds for algae cultivation. Biomass Bioenergy 67:390–400

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pruvost J, Cornet JF, Legrand J (2008) Hydrodynamics influence on light conversion in photobioreactors: an energetically consistent analysis. Chem Eng Sci 63:3679–3694

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pruvost J, Legrand J, Legentilhomme P, Muller-Feuga A (2002) Simulation of microalgae growth in limiting light conditions: flow effect. AIChE J 48(5):1109–1120

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pruvost J, Legrand J, Legentilhomme P, Rosant JM (2004) Numerical investigation of bend and torus flows. Part II. Flow simulation in torus reactor. Chem Eng Sci 59(16):3359–3370

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pruvost J, Pottier L, Legrand J (2006) Numerical investigation of hydrodynamic and mixing conditions in a torus photobioreactor. Chem Eng Sci 61:4476–4489

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramezani M, Kong B, Gao X, Olsen MG, Vigil RD (2015) Experimental measurement of oxygen mass transfer and bubble size distribution in an air-water multiphase Taylor–Couette vortex bioreactor. Chem Eng J 279:286–296

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rorrer GL, Mullikin RK (1999) Modeling and simulation of a tubular recycle photobioreactor for macroalgal cell suspension cultures. Chem Eng Sci 54:3153–3162

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ross O, Geider R (2009) New cell-based model of photosynthesis and photoacclimation: accumulation and mobilisation of energy reserves in phytoplankton. Mar Ecol 383:53–71

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rudnicki P, Gao X, Kong B, Vigil RD (2017) A comparative study of photosynthetic unit models for algal growth rate and fluorescence prediction under light/dark cycles. Algal Res 24:227–236

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sato T, Yamada D, Hirabayashi S (2010) Development of virtual photobioreactor for microalgae culture considering turbulent flow and flashing light effect. Energy Convers Manage 51:1196–1201

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seo IH, Lee IB, Hwang HS, Hong SW, Bitog JP, Kwon KS, Lee CG, Kim ZH, Cuello JL (2012) Numerical investigation of a bubble-column photo-bioreactor design for microalgae cultivation. Biosyst Eng 113:229–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith JD, Neto AA, Cremaschi S (2013) Crunkleton DW (2013) CFD-based optimization of a flooded bed algae bioreactor. Ind Eng Chem Res 52:7181–7188

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soman A, Shastri Y (2015) Optimization of novel photobioreactor design using computational fluid dynamics. Appl Energy 140:246–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Su ZF, Kang RJ, Shi SY, Cong W, Cai ZL (2010) Study on the destabilization mixing in the flat plate photobioreactor by means of CFD. Biomass Bioenergy 34:1879–1884

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang LL, Tao Y, Mao XZ (2014) A novel flat plate algal bioreactor with horizontal baffles: structural optimization and cultivation performance. Bioresour Technol 164:20–27

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang T, Wang J (2007) Numerical simulations of gas-liquid mass transfer in bubble columns with a CFD-PBM coupled model. Chem Eng Sci 62(24):7107–7118

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu LB, Li Z, Song YZ (2010) Hydrodynamic conditions in designed spiral photobioreactors. Bioresour Technol 101:298–303

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wu X, Merchuk JC (2001) A model integrating fluid dynamics in photosynthesis and photoihibition processes. Chem Eng Sci 56:3527–3538

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu X, Merchuk JC (2002) Simulation of algae growth in a bench scale bubble column. Biotechnol Bioeng 80:156–168

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wu X, Merchuk JC (2004) Simulation of algae growth in a bench-scale internal loop airlift reactor. Chem Eng Sci 59:2912–2999

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu B, Li P, Waller P (2014) Study of the flow mixing in a novel ARID raceway for algae production. Renew Energy 62:249–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu L, Liu R, Wang F, Liu C (2012) Development of a draft-tube airlift bioreactor for Botryococcus braunii with an optimized inner structure using computational fluid dynamics. Bioresour Technol 119:300–305

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yoshimoto N, Sato T, Kondo Y (2005) Dynamic discrete model of flashing light effect in photosynthesis of microalgae. J Appl Phycol 17:207–214

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng F, Huang J, Meng C, Zhu F, Chen J, Li Y (2016) Investigation on novel raceway pond with inclined paddle wheels through simulation and microalgae culture experiments. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 39:169–180

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang D, Dechatiwongse P, Hellgardt K (2015a) Modelling light transmission, cyanobacterial growth kinetics and fluid dynamics in a laboratory scale multiphase photo-bioreactor for biological hydrogen production. Algal Res 8:99–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang QH, Wu X, Xue SZ, Wang ZH, Yan CH, Cong W (2013) Hydrodynamic characteristics and microalgae cultivation in a novel flat-plate photobioreactor. Biotechnol Prog 29:127–134

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang QH, Xue S, Yan C, Wu X, Wen S, Cong W (2015b) Installation of flow deflectors and wing baffles to reduce dead zone and enhance flashing light effect in an open raceway pond. Bioresour Technol 198:150–156

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang T (2013) Dynamics of fluid and light intensity in mechanically stirred photobioreactor. J Biotechnol 168:107–116

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Financial support was provided for this work by National Science Foundation Grant CBET-1236676.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    Xi Gao & R. Dennis Vigil

  2. Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Ames Laboratory, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    Bo Kong

Authors
  1. Xi Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bo Kong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. Dennis Vigil
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bo Kong.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gao, X., Kong, B. & Vigil, R.D. Simulation of algal photobioreactors: recent developments and challenges. Biotechnol Lett 40, 1311–1327 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-018-2595-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-018-2595-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation