SCALING CROP OF MICROALGAE CHLORELLA VULGARIS GROWERS IN FALLING FILM. APPLICATION OF THE THEORY MODELS FOR SCALING

Abstract

In this work it is applied the models theory to identify the characteristical parameters in the cultivation of the Chlorella vulgaris microalgal in in thin layer cultivators and its scale ratios. They are taken into account at the time of desgining a cultivator of 500 m2, where it is experimented and
the results obtained are compared with the ones obtained in a cultivator of 2 m2. The application of the models theory could demonstrate using scale ratios that:
- The irrigation and depth of the fluent column in the model and the prototype should be the same so that exist dinamic resemblance always be the same in the meantime the canal pendents are the same..
- If the irrigation and the pendent are the same, then the global coefficient of dissipation of fluent and global coefficient of mass transference are the same in the model and the prototype
- The time of residence should be the same in the model and the prototype. To accomplish that, the relationship between volume of fluent on the surface and total flush should be the same.
- If it is used centrifugal pumps with similar efficiency it is possible to get equal concentrations of dissolved CO2 in the model and the prototype.
The experimental results show that it is possible to get similar results with regard to total net productivity and apparent photosynthetical efficiency if it is taken into account the scale ratios at the time of designing a thin layer cultivator of bigger area.