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Light dilution via wavelength management for efficient high‐density photobioreactors
Author(s) -
Ooms Matthew D.,
Graham Percival J.,
Nguyen Brian,
Sargent Edward H.,
Sinton David
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.26261
Subject(s) - photobioreactor , wavelength , dilution , light intensity , monochromatic color , absorption (acoustics) , visible spectrum , optics , materials science , optoelectronics , biomass (ecology) , biology , physics , ecology , thermodynamics
The spectral distribution of light influences microalgae productivity; however, development of photobioreactors has proceeded largely without regard to spectral optimization. Here, we use monochromatic light to quantify the joint influence of path length, culture density, light intensity, and wavelength on productivity and efficiency in Synechococcus elongatus . The productivity of green light was ∼4× that of red at the highest levels of culture density, depth, and light intensity. This performance is attributed to the combination of increased dilution and penetration of this weakly absorbed wavelength over a larger volume fraction of the reactor. In contrast, red light outperformed other wavelengths in low‐density cultures with low light intensities. Low‐density cultures also adapted more rapidly to reduce absorption of longer wavelengths, allowing for prolonged cultivation. Taken together, these results indicate that, particularly for artificially lit photobioreactors, wavelength needs to be included as a critical operational parameter to maintain optimal performance. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1160–1169. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.