Investigating the Cross-Sectional Gas Holdup Distribution in a Split Internal-Loop Photobioreactor during Microalgae Culturing using a Sophisticated Computed Tomography (CT) Technique
Abstract
In this study, an advanced noninvasive gamma-ray computed tomography (CT) technique was used for the first time to visualize and quantify the cross-sectional gas holdup distribution of the multiphase flow of an air—water-microalgae system in a cylindrical split airlift photobioreactor. The gas holdup distribution and their radial profiles were investigated during the culturing of the green microalgae Scenedesmus. The gas phase distribution in the entire reactor, including riser region, downcomer region, distribution regions, as well as their distributions above and below the split plate was also characterized, along with the impact of two superficial gas velocities (0.01 and 0.03 m/s), different axial levels, and the changes in the culture from first day until the medium became very dense. The results showed an excellent gas phase distribution in most of the reactor's regions and had high values around the sparger ring and above the split plate. Moreover, the results indicated that the flow distribution may significantly affect the performance of the photobioreactor, which may have substantial effects on the cultivation process. The results are reliable as benchmark data to validate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and other models.
Recommended Citation
L. S. Sabri et al., "Investigating the Cross-Sectional Gas Holdup Distribution in a Split Internal-Loop Photobioreactor during Microalgae Culturing using a Sophisticated Computed Tomography (CT) Technique," Chemical Engineering Research and Design, vol. 149, pp. 13 - 33, Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Sep 2019.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2019.06.017
Department(s)
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Research Center/Lab(s)
Center for Research in Energy and Environment (CREE)
Second Research Center/Lab
Center for High Performance Computing Research
Keywords and Phrases
Computed tomography; Cross-sectional gas holdup; Microalgae culturing; Scenedesmus; Split airlift photobioreactor
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0263-8762
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2019 Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Sep 2019
Comments
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial aid provided by the Iraqi government , Ministry of Higher Education Iraq , the Higher Committee for Education Development in Iraq (HCED), and the funds provided by Missouri University of Science and Technology.