A model integrating fluid dynamics in photosynthesis and photoinhibition processes

A mathematical representation of the growth of a photosynthetic system in a n alternating light/dark regime is proposed, integrating fluid dynamics and maintenance in the three-state model developed earlier by filers and Peete rs (1998. Ecological Modeling, 42, 199-215). The model was solved analytica lly and the constants were fitted to experimental data obtained in a thin f ilm tubular reactor. The theoretical prediction that the introduction of li ght/dark cycle may enhance the growth, was confirmed by the experimental re sults, supporting the idea of utilizing ordered mixing to obtain more effic ient growth. The model allows to predict collapse of cultures in photobiore actors either under light-deficit or light-excess conditions, as well as th e influence of mixing on these critical phenomena. It has also been shown t hat chlorophyll fluorescence measurements can be used to estimate the growt h at steady state. This paper presents an approach to model the kinetics of photosynthetic systems for photobioreactor design under conditions of simu ltaneous occurrence of photoinhibition in one region of the reactor, and ph otolimitation in another. The model takes into account the movement of the cells from one region to the other. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All righ ts reserved.