One of the parameters which influence the growth of algae biomass is light. Apart from selecting the right kind of light source, it is also important to develop a transmission system, that will transmit the light from exterior of reactor deep in to the reactor. As the algal biomass density increases in the reactor, light penetration into the reactor decreases because light incident upon an algae cell is absorbed by it and not transmitted. The absorption of light near the sides of the reactor limits growth of algal biomass at the interior of the reactor. To utilize all the reactor volume, light intensity on all algal cells should be the same throughout the reactor volume. A light guide (acrylic rods) is one method that may be employed to illuminate the interior of the reactor. The following figures, show different light guides tested and their light transmission characteristics.
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Types of light guides
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Surface Finished
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Light emitting from corresponding light guide
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Saw cut finish
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Light emitted from saw cut end
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Saw cut end and abraded on the side
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Light emitted from abraded guide
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Saw cut and lathe cut finished end
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Light emitted after lathe finished
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Saw cut, lathe + wet sanding + buffing finish
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Light emitted after buffing
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Saw cut, lathe + wet sanding + buffing finish with
30 degree cone end |
Light emission after buffing with angle 30 on the edge |