Artificial Lighting System for Photobioreactor Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Algal growth in photobioreactors is limited by the dependency on natural light-dark cycles, which can hinder maximum growth and efficiency in producing chemical substances, as existing systems either rely solely on natural light or struggle to integrate artificial lighting effectively.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor lighting system comprising an Artificial Lighting System (ALS) with LED modules in RED, WHITE, and BLUE channels, combined with a light diffusing element featuring a metallic film with slits, and an automated control method to adjust light intensity and spectrum, ensuring consistent photon flux distribution and optimal illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If natural light is used exclusively for illuminating the photobioreactor, then the system is simple and low-cost, but algal growth is limited by natural light-dark cycles and cannot achieve maximum productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines natural light and artificial LED lighting into a unified illumination system. The photobioreactor receives both natural sunlight and supplemental artificial light from LED modules positioned at the periphery, allowing the system to maintain high productivity during dark periods while keeping the overall design relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system dynamically adjusts between natural and artificial light sources based on ambient conditions. During daytime, natural light provides primary illumination; during nighttime or insufficient natural light conditions, LED modules activate to maintain optimal growth conditions, creating a dynamic adaptive lighting regime.
2Productivity
If artificial LED lighting is added to overcome natural light limitations, then productivity increases and control over lighting cycles is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly illuminating the entire photobioreactor, LED modules are positioned locally at the periphery or specific zones where supplemental light is most needed. This localized approach provides targeted illumination to enhance productivity in critical areas without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED modules serve multiple functions: they provide supplemental illumination during dark periods, enable control over light-dark cycles independent of natural conditions, and can be adjusted to optimize production of different chemical substances. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single system addition.
3Illumination intensity
If LED modules are used to provide controlled lighting, then lighting intensity and spectrum can be optimized for algal growth, but heat generation from LEDs becomes a harmful factor
Solution Approach 1:
A heat dissipation system acts as an intermediary between the LED modules and the algal culture. Heat sinks, fans, or liquid cooling systems are positioned between the LEDs and the culture medium to intercept and remove excess heat before it can harm the algae, allowing high-intensity LED lighting to be used without thermal damage.
4Productivity
If natural light is filtered to transmit only photosynthetically active wavelengths, then photosynthetic efficiency is improved, but the amount of useful light reaching the culture is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of filtering natural light to improve spectral quality, the system changes the parameter of light source by adding artificial LED illumination with inherently appropriate spectra. The LED modules emit light primarily in the photosynthetically active range (400-700 nm), eliminating the need for filtering while maintaining high photosynthetic efficiency and energy utilization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system maximizes algal growth by integrating natural and artificial lighting, maintaining process efficiency and enhancing the production of useful molecules like antioxidants, while allowing for control beyond natural photoperiods to stimulate specific pigment production.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ALS comprises an external face and an internal face, where a multiplicity of blades are placed on said external face and a multiplicity of LED modules are placed on said internal face
Implementation Method 2
at least one light diffusing element; where said at least one ALS is positioned at the top and / or at the bottom of at least one of said light diffuser
Implementation Method 3
Inside said light diffusing element there is a reflector which is a metal film on which there are slits arranged according to a geometry that has proved to be particularly advantageous
Implementation Method 4
Algae crops need to receive light radiation to metabolize CO2, releasing O2 with the photosynthesis process
Implementation Method 5
a method for controlling it with surprisingly advantageous characteristics... an automated method for adjusting the intensity and spectrum of light of the LED modules
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
The subject of the present invention is a kit for the lighting of a photobioreactor (PBR) which comprises: - at least one Artificial Lighting System (ALS) (1); - at least one light diffusing element; where said at least one ALS (1) comprises an external face (3) and an internal face (4), where on said external face (3) a plurality of blades (2) are placed and on said internal face (4) a plurality of LED modules (5 are placed), wherein said plurality comprises at least one LED in each of the RED, WHITE and BLUE channels; where said at least one ALS (1) is positioned at the top and / or at the bottom of at least one of said light diffusing elements and said external face (3) faces outwards, said internal face (4) faces towards the interior of said light diffusing element and said ALS acts as a sealing element of said light diffusing element. Said diffuser element is made of a material transparent to light and is at least partially coated with a reflector which is a metal film with low thickness and high surface reflectance in which slits are carved. A further object of the present invention is a method for controlling the lighting system according to the present invention.