Optimization of the lighting system for a Hydraulically Integrated Serial Turbidostat Algal Reactor (HISTAR): Economic implications

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2009

Abstract

An estimated 28% of the production cost in HISTAR systems that are artificially illuminated is attributed to the lighting cost. This cost estimated is based on an operational configuration comprised of eight CFSTRs, a system dilution rate (Ds) of 0.640 d-1, and 400 W metal halide lamps positioned at an elevation of 38.1 cm over the culture. Deterministic model simulations of the volumetric productivity (Pv), photosynthetic efficiency (Eo) and lighting cost (LC) under various management strategies, operational parameters and reactor design configurations were performed and compared to the simulation results obtained for the original configuration. The simulations showed that LC may be reduced by 35.5% by switching from a metal halide (MH) to high-pressure sodium (HPS) light source at an optimum system dilution rate Ds = 0.641 d-1. LC may be reduced by an additional 17.8% through decreasing the lamp elevation to 25.4 cm. Increasing the wattage of the light source from 400 to 1000 W in the last six reactors would reduce the LC by 13% from the original cost. Overall, using HPS lamps at 25.4 cm height, with six 1000 W and two 400 W lamps at a Ds = 0.641 d-1 will result in a 54% overall LC reduction compared to the original configuration of HISTAR. This represents a 13% reduction in the overall microalgal production cost for HISTAR. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Aquacultural Engineering

First Page

45

Last Page

53

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