Development of a Floating Sensor to Measure the Light Spectral Distribution Within a Microalgal Photobioreactor
Year: 2022
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Light is an essential parameter for the growth of photosynthetic microorganisms. For this reason, information on the light spectrum and light intensity distribution within a photobioreactor (PBR) are helpful to develop highly automated growth methods. \nIn this work, we designed a floating optical sensor to measure the spectral light intensity at different points within the PBR. In addition, the sensor is equipped with a localization algorithm so that a light intensity distribution map within the PBR can be plotted.\nMoreover, a model is proposed to simulate the spectral distribution of light inside a photobioreactor with a ray trace software for different wavelengths within the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) spectrum. The method was designed to obtain quickly and reproducible light distribution simulations within the photobioreactor faster than the other methods proposed in the literature, bypassing the need to determine the radiative properties of the algal cells. This model has been used to assess the accuracy of the optical sensor measurements within the PBR.
Author: GJESTILA, Marinela
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7065388246