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A mathematical model of microalgal growth in light‐limited chemostat culture
Author(s) -
Grima E. Molina,
Camacho F. García,
Pérez J. A. Sánchez,
Sevilla J. M. Fernández,
Fernández F. G. Acién,
Gómez A. Contreras
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.280610212
Subject(s) - photobioreactor , chemostat , dilution , attenuation coefficient , light intensity , absorption (acoustics) , biomass (ecology) , algae , pigment , attenuation , luminous intensity , growth rate , intensity (physics) , biological system , botany , materials science , environmental science , chemistry , thermodynamics , optics , biology , mathematics , physics , ecology , genetics , organic chemistry , bacteria , geometry
A mathematical model for light‐limited growth of a continuous microalgal culture is proposed. Average light intensity inside the photobioreactor was calculated, taking light attenuation by algae into account. The biomass absorption coefficient was determined by means of two new parameters, the pigment‐free biomass, Y B , and the total pigment absorption, Y p (absorption coefficient normalized to total pigment content). The model reproduced the steady states reached and the dynamic behaviour of the system when the dilution rate was changed.