title: A light distribution model for an internally radiating photobioreactor.
abstract: Analysis of light energy distribution in culture is important for maximizing the growth efficiency of photosynthetic cells and the productivity of a photobioreactor. To characterize the irradiance conditions in a photobioreactor, we developed a light distribution model for a single-radiator system and then extended the model to multiple radiators using the concept of parallel translation. Mathematical expressions for the local light intensity and the average light intensity were derived for a cylindrical photobioreactor with multiple internal radiators. The proposed model was used to predict the irradiance levels inside an internally radiating photobioreactor using Synechococcus sp. PCC 6301 as a model photosynthetic microorganism. The effects of cell density and radiator number were interpreted through photographic and model simulation studies. The predicted light intensity values were found to be very close to those obtained experimentally, which suggests that the proposed model is capable of accurately interpreting the local light energy profiles inside the photobioreactor system. Due to the simplicity and flexibility of the proposed model, it was also possible to predict the light conditions in other complex photobioreactors, including optical-fiber and pond-type photobioreactors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, San 31, Hyoja-Dong, Pohang 790-784, Korea.
authors.forename: In Soo
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.forename: Sun Bok
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D019149:Bioreactors; D003198:Computer Simulation; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D004867:Equipment Design; D008027:Light; D008954:Models, Biological; D018462:Photobiology / Q000295:instrumentation; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D011874:Radiometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity