Mixing strategies combined with shape design to enhance productivity of a raceway pond

TL;DR

This study investigates how combining innovative bottom shape designs with mixing strategies in raceway ponds can significantly boost microalgae growth and biomass production, using coupled physical-biological models and optimization techniques.

Contribution

It introduces a novel integrated approach of shape design and mixing strategies to enhance microalgal productivity in raceway ponds.

Findings

Non-trivial topographies improve algae growth.

Specific mixing strategies coupled with shape design increase biomass.

Optimization identifies effective combinations for productivity enhancement.

Abstract

This paper focuses on mixing strategies and designing shape of the bottom topographies to enhance the growth of the microalgae in raceway ponds. A physical-biological coupled model is used to describe the growth of the algae. A simple model of a mixing device such as a paddle wheel is also considered. The complete process model was then included in an optimization problem associated with the maximization of the biomass production. The results show that non-trivial topographies can be coupled with some specific mixing strategies to improve the microalgal productivity.