Hydrodynamic characterization in a raceway bioreactor with different stirrers

Microalgae and cyanobacteria are of great interest for various industries due to the products that can be obtained from them. This makes the study of the cultivation systems of these microorganisms increasing. Such is the case of Raceway bioreactors, which have been analyzed by simulations to study mixing and agitation. Mixing is the most important factor in the growth of photosynthetic microorganisms. In the present work, experimental evidence of hydrodynamic parameters such as; Re, Fr, NQ, NP and EP are obtained and flow paths were also obtained within a Raceway bioreactor. It was found that the turbine agitator generated more turbulence, with maximum Re of 68,959, therefore it is more efficient than the flat paddle agitator, with which a maximum Re of 57,744 was generated.

Keywords: Raceway bioreactor, hudrodynamic, velocimetry by image capture, Reynolds number.