Design of a photo-bioreactor for modelling purposes

Microalgae have been recently recognized as tools for high value products l ike polyunsaturated fatty acids, pigments or polysaccharides. So far howeve r, only little modelling work has been done. Modelling of kinetics in stand ard photo-bioreactors is difficult because of strong light gradients and th e lack of control of light Bur. For the study of microalgae kinetics and fo r modelling purposes a new kind of photo-bioreactor has been designed. Mode l based approaches are used to optimize illumination and to achieve higher light intensities and a more uniform illumination. With the aid of the new reactor, kinetics of microalgae growth and product formation can be investi gated under controlled conditions. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All right s reserved.