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CFD-based pbkp_rediction of initial microalgal adhesion to solid surfaces using force balances

Abstract:

Adhesion of microalgal cells to photobioreactor walls reduces productivity resulting in significant economic losses. The physico-chemical surface properties and the fluid dynamics present in the photobioreactor during cultivation are relevant. However, to date, no multiphysical model has been able to pbkp_redict biofouling formation in these systems. In this work, to model the microalgal adhesion, a Computational Fluid Dynamic simulation was performed using a Eulerian-Lagrangian particle-tracking model. The adhesion criterion was based on the balance of forces and moments included in the XDLVO model. A cell suspension of the marine microalga Nannochloropsis gaditana was fed into a commercial flow cell composed of poly-methyl-methacrylate coupons for validation. Overall, the simulated adhesion criterion qualitatively pbkp_redicted the initial distribution of adhered cells on the coupons. In conclusion, the combined Computational Fluid Dynamics-Discrete Phase Model (CFD-DPM) approach can be used to overcome the challenge of pbkp_redicting microalgal cell adhesion in photobioreactors.