Reflection‐refraction effects on light distribution inside tubular photobioreactors
Open accessAbstract
One of the main parameters affecting autotrophic algae cultures is photon absorption distribution inside the photobioreactor. This clearly depends on the geometry of both the radiation source and the photobioreactor, as well as on algae suspension optical properties. In this work the local volumetric rate of photon absorption LVRPA in a cross‐section of a horizontal‐pipe photobioreactor was investigated by means of simplified Monte Carlo simulations. In particular, the fate of a number of photons perpendicularly hitting the photobioreactor circular section was simulated in relation to different values of algae concentration. The model takes into account refraction/reflection phenomena at the air/photobioreactor‐wall interface. Simulation results show that radiation distribution inside the photobioreactor is quite strongly affected by reflection/refraction at the air‐reactor interface. In particular, dark zones (not revealed when neglecting reflection/refraction phenomena) are observed in conjunction with unexpected radiation intensification in other zones. These phenomena are bound to affect photobioreactor performance and should therefore be considered if effective photobioreactor models are sought.
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Even in quasi two-dimensional geometries like pipes, refraction and reflection cannot be ignored, and their consideration requires solving the Radiative transfer equation.
“However, even in quasi two-dimensional geometries like pipes, refraction and reflection are effects which cannot be ignored [85], and their consideration requires to solve the Radiative transfer equation.”
From Modeling and Simulation of Photobioreactors with Computational Fluid Dynamics—A Comprehensive Review (2022) · cites this paper as [85]
The Conclusions say reflection and refraction can strongly affect light distribution in tubular photobioreactors and should be considered in advanced models. But they also say the effects may be neglected in models concerned only with average photon absorption. The Introduction and Conclusions describe a Monte Carlo approach as an alternative to solving the full RTE, so the claim that accounting for these effects requires solving the RTE is not supported. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredReflection or refraction at the various interfaces cause additional heterogeneity of the light intensity distribution and even dark regions may arise in consequence.
“It is also often neglected that reflection or refraction at the various interfaces cause additional heterogeneity of the light intensity distribution and even dark regions may arise in consequence [21,85].”
From Modeling and Simulation of Photobioreactors with Computational Fluid Dynamics—A Comprehensive Review (2022) · cites this paper as [85]
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Cites
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Energy-efficient photobioreactor configuration for algal biomass production
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Modeling and Simulation of Photobioreactors with Computational Fluid Dynamics—A Comprehensive Review
Luzi, G., & McHardy, C. (2022) · Energies · doi:10.3390/en15113966 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
“However, even in quasi two-dimensional geometries like pipes, refraction and reflection are effects which cannot be ignored [85], and their consideration requires to solve the Radiative transfer equation.”
BackgroundNumerical analysis of the effects of air on light distribution in a bubble column photobioreactor
McHardy, C., Luzi, G., Lindenberger, C., Agudo, J. R., Delgado, A., & Rauh, C. (2018) · Algal Research · doi:10.1016/j.algal.2018.02.016 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Laifa, R., Morchain, J., Barna, L., & Guiraud, P. (2021) · Algal Research · doi:10.1016/j.algal.2021.102550 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
- Authors
- Marotta, G., Pruvost, J., Scargiali, F., Caputo, G., & Brucato, A.
- Affiliations
- University of Palermo (IT)
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, GEPEA, UMR‐CNRS 6144 Bd. De l'Université, CRTT‐BP 406 44620 Saint Nazaire Cedex France
- Corresponding author
- Scargiali, Francesca
- Venue
- The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2017-03-13
- Volume
- 95
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1646-1651
- ISSN
- 0008-4034 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-019X
- OpenAlex
- W2588251938
- Cited by
- 15
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 0.29
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering (publishedVersion)
- HAL (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Nova Science Publishers (Nova Science Publishers, Inc.) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Greenhouse Technology and Climate Control
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Fluid Dynamics and Mixing
- Keywords
- tubular photobioreactor, light distribution, photon absorption, dark zone, algae concentration, Monte Carlo photon transport
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