Dynamic optimization of closed photobioreactors in solar conditions. A simulation study

This paper concerns with the elaboration of control strategies optimizing closed photobioreactor operation in solar conditions. To this end, a model based optimization study has been carried out. It was based on a dynamic model for the photosynthetic growth of Chlorella vulgaris in PBR, coupling a kinetic model able to accurately describe light dependent growth, with a radiative transfer model describing light distribution inside the culture depth. The strategy consists in controlling the dilution rate so that the biomass produced and removed from the PBR over the day to be maximized. Different optimization criteria have been implemented and the obtained results have been discussed in a comparative study considering practical implementation issues. The three optimizations strategies studied led to an improvement on defined criteria and on associated biomass productivity.