Work

CFD modelling of convective falling films for enhanced algae cultivation: Fluid mechanics influence of mass transfer

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Falling film photobioreactors are able to increase the mass transfer rates per volume of liquid through the gas-liquid interface compared to other photobioreactor types. At low Reynolds numbers the flow mass transfer is still diffusion limited. This work aims to resolve and improve the convective mixing within thin falling films numerically to optimize the rates of CO2 absorption into a thin falling water film. Flat plate models are compared and it is found that slower films with a Reynolds number of 28 outperform faster flowing films by up to 2.5 times.

Source: Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)

DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/202634701001/pdf

Authors: Gerald Lancaster, Bradley D. Bock, Ken J. Craig

Institution: University of Pretoria

Language: English

Topic: Algal biology and biofuel production

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Center for High Performance Computing

OpenAlex ID: W7124275425

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