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Optimization of novel photobioreactor design using computational fluid dynamics

DSpace at IIT Bombay

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Field Value
 
Title Optimization of novel photobioreactor design using computational fluid dynamics
 
Creator SOMAN, A
SHASTRI, Y
 
Subject FLAT-PLATE PHOTOBIOREACTOR
MECHANICALLY STIRRED PHOTOBIOREACTOR
LIGHT-INTENSITY
MICROALGAE CULTIVATION
AIRLIFT REACTOR
BUBBLE-COLUMNS
HYDRODYNAMICS
SIMULATIONS
BIOFUELS
DENSITY
Biofuel
Microalgae
Photobioreactor
CFD
Hydrodynamics
 
Description The high cost of microalgae cultivation is one of the major hurdles in large scale production of microalgal biofuels. Cultivation in closed photobioreactors (PBR) to achieve high culture concentrations is a potential solution. However, existing PBR designs do not have the desired efficiencies, and lead to high material and energy costs. Therefore, novel PBR designs need to be developed and benchmarked against existing designs. This work has proposed a novel PBR design by combining two existing designs, namely, the airlift and flat plate PBRs. The novel design uses the concept of riser and downcomer from the airlift PBR. However, the downcomer has flat surfaces resembling a flat plate PBR The hydrodynamic performance of the novel PBR was studied using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and the performance was compared with that of the conventional airlift PBR. The dimensions of the novel design were then optimized using CFD simulations. The results showed that the novel design had superior liquid circulation properties that resulted in a regular and alternative exposure to light and dark regions of the PBR. The novel design also had about 7% higher surface area to volume ratio as compared to a conventional airlift PBR. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
 
Publisher ELSEVIER SCI LTD
 
Date 2016-01-14T12:54:10Z
2016-01-14T12:54:10Z
2015
 
Type Article
 
Identifier APPLIED ENERGY, 140,246-255
0306-2619
1872-9118
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.11.072
http://dspace.library.iitb.ac.in/jspui/handle/100/17548
 
Language en