Modelling of Microalgae Culture Systems with Applications to Control and Optimization

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology and biochemical engineering
• Mathematical modeling of biological systems

Background:

• Industrial-scale microalgae culture systems (MCS) require sophisticated modeling for efficient operation.
• Multiphysics models are essential for understanding the complex interactions within high-density cultures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing mathematical models for microalgae culture systems.
• To highlight the importance of coupling biological and physical properties in these models.
• To discuss applications in monitoring, control, and optimization.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on microalgae growth models.
• Focus on the structure of multiphysics models, including biological and physical submodels.
• Examination of the Droop model as a precursor.

Main Results:

• Identified common structures in microalgae growth models.
• Highlighted critical coupling between biology and physics in high-density cultures.
• Summarized developments and challenges in multiphysics modeling of MCS.

Conclusions:

• Multiphysics modeling is key to advancing industrial microalgae cultivation.
• Effective models enable better design, operation, and control of MCS.
• Further development is needed to address existing difficulties in modeling.