Using Calculus to Find the Average Light Intensity Inside a Photobioreactor

by Herby Jean

Submitted : Fall 2011

For energy production, microalgae are one of the few alternatives with a high potential use. Similar to plants, algae require energy to growth. Energy acquire from light sources. This project will attempt to use calculus as an effective way to determine the amount of light intensity inside of a photo bioreactor filled with algae. Under preset conditions along with estimated values, we can apply Lambert-Beer’s law to first calculate formulate an equation to calculate how much light intensity escapes the photo bioreactor and also formulate an equation using calculus to determine an average of the light intensity that is present inside the photo bioreactor.

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