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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Optimize Flue Gas Settings to Promote Microalgae Growth in Photobioreactors via Computer Simulations
Published on: October 1, 2013
Numerical simulation on promoting light/dark cycle frequency to improve microalgae growth in photobioreactor with
Qing Ye1, Jun Cheng1, Wangbiao Guo1
1State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
Abstract:
Computational fluid dynamics were employed to simulate microalgal cells movement with enhanced flash-light effects in a gaslift loop-current column photobioreactor (GLCP) with serial lantern-shaped draft tube (LDT). Clockwise and anticlockwise vortexes were formed in outer down-flow region of GLCP with LDT. The radial velocity, axial velocity, and turbulent kinetic energy of microalgal solution appeared periodical change around the lanterns. The average radial velocity showed a sixfold improvement from 0.003 m/s to 0.021 m/s, and average turbulent kinetic energy was enhanced by 18.2% from 22.5 × 10-4 m2/s2 to 26.6 × 10-4 m2/s2, thus increasing light/dark cycle frequency by 54%. The light/dark cycle frequency increased first and then decreased with an increase of individual lantern height. The increased lantern number promoted the light/dark cycle frequency and light time ratio. Microalgal biomass yield in the GLCP with LDT was improved by 30%, and CO2 fixation peak rate was promoted by 35%.
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