La production industrielle de microalgues a lieu principalement en conditions solaires et dans des bassins de culture ouverts. Dans l’optique d’étendre la gamme de souches cultivables et de réduire les coûts de production de la biomasse, de nombreux systèmes de culture clos (aussi appelés photobioréacteurs ou PBRs) se développent pour la production solaire de microalgues. Néanmoins, en raison de la dynamique du rayonnement solaire et de sa composition spectrale (présence de rayonnements infrarouges et ultraviolets), maximiser les performances d’un photobioréacteur solaire demeure complexe et tient en majeure partie à la gestion de deux paramètres : l’énergie lumineuse et la température de culture. Cette thèse présente l’ensemble des résultats obtenus en photobioréacteurs lors de l’étude de ces paramètres avec comme microalgue de référence, Chlorella vulgaris. La première partie a porté sur l’utilisation de l’énergie lumineuse par les algues au travers de la vitesse spécifique d’absorption de photons (RPA). Les résultats ont montré que l’efficacité de conversion des photons en biomasse était bien liée à la valeur moyenne de RPA dans le volume de PBR (aussi appelé MRPA), et que cette dernière était décroissante avec l’augmentation du MRPA. De plus, outre le MRPA, le profil de RPA peut aussi avoir un impact majeur sur la culture. En effet, il est possible d’inhiber toute croissance en imposant un profil de vitesse d’absorption de photons important dans l’intégralité du volume de culture. La deuxième partie de cette thèse a porté sur la gestion et l’optimisation des postes de consommation énergétique associés à la production solaire en PBR. Lors de cette partie, les coûts énergétiques liés à la production ont été associés aux performances théoriques de différents PBRs plans, afin de comparer ces systèmes entre eux (avec l’exemple d’une production de microalgue sur l’année à Nantes), et mesurer les efforts à réaliser pour envisager la production industrielle de microalgues dans le domaine de l’énergie. / Industrial production of microalgae takes place outdoor in open ponds exposed to solar radiation. To increase biomass production and reduce production costs many closed systems have been developed such as photobioreactors (PBRs). Nevertheless, maximizing the performance of solar PBRs remains a challenge due to difficulties in managing radiant and thermal energy transfer in the PBR. This is mainly due to the dynamic behavior of solar irradiance as it evolves throughout the day and seasons. It is also because of the spectral composition of the solar radiation which consists of ultra-violet and infrared radiation. The latter cannot be utilized by the microalgae for photosynthesis and as a result is converted to heat. This thesis presents results obtained during the study of the effects of temperature and light on the microalgae production of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris, chosen as a reference species. The first part of the thesis focused on the utilization of light energy by the microalgae with a specific attention paid to the parameter called the rate of photon absorption (RPA). Results show that the photon to biomass conversion efficiency is linked to the volume averaged value of RPA (also called MRPA for mean rate of photon absorption). Photon to biomass conversion efficiency decreased when the MRPA increased. Moreover, in addition to MRPA, the local value of RPA and its profile in the PBR volume can have a major impact on the culture behavior. Indeed, it is possible to inhibit cell growth by having a large RPA in the PBR leading to excessive absorption of photons throughout the PBR. The second part of the thesis focused on management and optimization of energy demanding units associated to the culture of solar PBRs. During this part, energetic costs linked to the biomass production where associated to the theoretical performances of different planar systems in order to compare them (with the example of an annual production in Nantes (France)), and determine the efforts necessary to implement microalgae on industrial scale in the field of energy.

No description available.

Cette thèse se place dans le contexte de la production solaire de microalgues dans les conditions désertiques du Qatar. Dans de tels environnements, les microalgues représentent une alternative durable qui peut supporter efficacement les enjeux de la sécurité alimentaire, notamment en raison du manque de terres arables et d’eau douce pour l’agriculture conventionnelle. Cet environnement est également proche de l’idéal d’ensoleillement pour la culture des algues. Cependant, cela se combine à une température moyenne élevée, qui pourrait avoir un effet négatif sur le taux de croissance des algues et la production des métabolites d’intérêt. Un lien étroit existe alors entre les conditions appliquées (qui seront dynamiques), la souche retenue (les effets étant souvent souche-­dépendant), et la technologie de culture utilisée. Cette thèse vise à aborder ces trois aspects. Pour cela, nous nous sommes intéressés à sélectionner des souches adaptées à la production à grande échelle. Cinq souches isolées dans un environnement désertique ont été comparées. Ensuite, la souche la plus prometteuse a été étudiée en détails sous différents régimes de lumière et température. Des expérimentations en photobioréacteurs contrôlés ont permis d’étudier les effets indépendamment, puis en couplage. Les effets propres à des cycles dynamiques tels que rencontrés en extérieurs ont aussi été mis en évidence. La dernière partie présente un modèle thermique d'un système raceway, adapté à la culture au Qatar. Après validation, le modèle a été utilisé pour prédire les échanges et régimes thermiques rencontrés. L'intérêt d'introduire des solutions adaptées de régulation thermique a aussi été étudié. / This thesis is placed in the context of the solar culture of microalgae in the desert conditions of Qatar. In such environments, microalgae provide an alternative sustainable solution for food security, especially with the lack of sufficient arable land and fresh water for conventional agriculture. This environment is also close to the ideal regarding available solar radiation. However, this is combined with a high temperature, which could have a negative effect on both growth rate and production of metabolites of interest. A close link then exists between the culture conditions (which will be dynamic), the strain (the effects being often strain-­dependent), and the culture technology used. This thesis aims to address these three aspects. For this, we firstly selected strains adapted to large-­scale production in Qatar. Five strains isolated from the desert environment were compared. Then, the most promising strain was studied under different light and temperature regimes. Experiments in controlled photobioreactors allowed studying the effects independently, and then their inter-­relation. The effects of dynamic cycles as encountered outdoor were also highlighted. The last part presents a thermal model of a raceway system. After validation, the model was used to predict the exchanges and thermal regimes encountered. The interest of introducing adapted thermal regulation solutions has also been studied. The use of heat exchangers using the thermal inertia of the soil has been highlighted, illustrating the interest of combining strain selection to identify robust strain with engineering approaches to develop adapted culture system for Qatar conditions.

Dissertação(mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia e Ciência de Alimentos, Escola de Química e Alimentos, 2008. / Submitted by Caroline Silva (krol_bilhar@hotmail.com) on 2012-09-24T18:12:59Z No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertao ana priscila centeno da rosa.pdf: 832074 bytes, checksum: f714a15c9e2b09a517b32f01fb11ef36 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Bruna Vieira(bruninha_vieira@ibest.com.br) on 2012-12-01T01:10:48Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertao ana priscila centeno da rosa.pdf: 832074 bytes, checksum: f714a15c9e2b09a517b32f01fb11ef36 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-12-01T01:10:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertao ana priscila centeno da rosa.pdf: 832074 bytes, checksum: f714a15c9e2b09a517b32f01fb11ef36 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Spirulina (Arthrospira) é uma microalga fotossintética, encontrada em ambientes alcalinos e é uma das mais produzidas no mundo. Sua biomassa possui alto valor nutricional e agregado. Apresenta alto teor protéico e é rica em compostos bioativos, como aminoácidos essenciais, ácidos graxos, pigmentos e vitaminas. Um sistema de produção de biomassa microalgal depende de muitos fatores, entre eles, o desenvolvimento de um meio de cultivo economicamente viável. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar a influência da concentração de nutrientes no meio de cultivo para a produção da microalga Arthrospira em biorreatores tipo “raceway” e modo semicontínuo. Para os cultivos foi utilizado meio Zarrouk que teve as fontes de carbono, nitrogênio e fósforo mantidas nas concentrações padrões e os demais nutrientes (solução B) foram variados em 25% (Z-B25), 50% (Z-B50), 75% (Z-B75) e 100% (Z-100). Foram realizados ensaios com diferentes volumes do meio de cultura, 5L e 2 500 L. Nos ensaios realizados em biorreatores com volume de meio de 5 L a velocidade específica máxima de crescimento e a produtividade foram reduzidas com o consumo dos nutrientes pela microalga. Os máximos valores de velocidade específica de crescimento (0,184 d-1) e produtividade (48,03 mg.L-1.d-1) foram observados no ensaio Z-B50. Os ensaios Z-B50 e Z-B75 apresentaram velocidade específica máxima de crescimento e produtividade sem diferença significativa (p>0,15) a partir do terceiro ciclo de crescimento. No inicio do terceiro ciclo as concentrações de nitrogênio e fósforo apresentaram reduções de 21,2 e 15,7% (Z-B50) e 29,9 e 12,9% (Z-B75), respectivamente. Para cada ensaio foram realizadas análises de composição química da biomassa a cada ciclo de crescimento do cultivo. O maior teor protéico (48,8±4,1%) foi encontrado na biomassa de Arthrospira no ensaio Z-100. O ensaio ZB50 apresentou biomassa contendo 46,10±2,59% de proteína por um período de, aproximadamente, 50 d. Os cultivos em biorreatores com volume de meio de 2 500 L foram realizados em condições ambientais não controlas e foi utilizado água da Lagoa Mangueira para diluição do meio Zarrouk. A temperatura e a iluminância variaram de 16 a 42ºC e 26,3 a 105,2 klux, respectivamente. As máximas velocidades específicas de crescimento e produtividades, respectivamente, 0,276 d-1 e 148,36 mg.L-1.d-1 (ZB50) e 0,368 d-1 e 95,60 mg.L-1.d-1 (Z-100), foram encontradas no período com maior média de temperatura,. Para estes ensaios, a concentração de proteína na biomassa não apresentou diferença significativa (p>0,05). A concentração de lipídios na biomassa, ao final dos ensaios, apresentou redução em relação a concentração inicial de 22 e 52% para os ensaios Z-B50 e Z-100, respectivamente. / Spirulina (Arthrospira) is a photosynthetic microalgae found in alkaline environmental and it is one of the most produced in the world. The chemical composition of Spirulina’s biomass indicates that it has high nutritional value due its composed of a wide range of biologically active compounds, such as vitamins, pigments, fatty acids and essential amino acids. A production system of microalgae biomass depends on several factors, such as, the development of economic culture medium. The objective of this work was studied the influence of nutrients concentration on culture medium for the production Arthrospira microalgae in open raceway ponds and semicontinuous process. For the experiments, was used Zarrouk’s medium, where carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous sources were used at standard concentration and the concentration of the others nutrients (B-solution) were varied to 25% (Z-B25), 50% (Z-B50), 75% (Z-B75) and 100% (Z-100). Two experiments were performed with different culture medium volume, 5 L and 2 500 L. In an experiment performed with medium volume of 5 L, was observed a reduction on maximum specific growth rate and productivity according the nutrients consumed by microalgae. The maximum values of specific growth rate (0.184 d-1) and productivity (48.03 mg.L-1.d-1) were observed an experiment Z-B50. After the third growth cycle, the maximum specific growth rate and productivity didn’t show significant difference (p>0.15) for experiments Z-B50 and Z-B75. In the beginning of the third cycle, nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations showed a reduction of 21.1 and 15.7% for Z-B50 medium, 29.9 and 12.9% for Z-B75, respectively. For each cycle growth, analyses of chemical composition were performed from the biomass of each experiment. The highest protein content (48.8±4.1%) was found out in the Arthrospira biomass at Z-100 test. In the essay Z-B50, the biomass protein content was 46.10±2.59% for a period of 50 days, approximately. The process on bioreactor that used 2 500 L of medium volume, was carried out in environmental conditions and was utilized Mangueira Lagoon water for dilution Zarrouk’s medium. The temperature and illumination were varied between 16 to 42ºC and 26.3 to 105.2 klux, respectively. The maximum specific growth rate and productivity were, 0.276 d-1 and 148.36 mg.L-1.d-1 (ZB50) and 0.368 d-1 and 95.60 mg.L-1.d-1 (Z-100), respectively, found out in a period that presented the highest average temperature. For these experiments, the protein concentration of biomass did not show significant difference (p>0.05), already, the lipid concentration showed a reduction when compared an initial concentration of 22 and 52% for Z-B50 and Z-100 experiments, respectively.

During the water quality and sludge characterization phase, average effluent quality over the course of a day was not found to be impaired during a 7-month sampling and monitoring study at the three trout farms. However, effluent quality was found to change significantly during times of high farm activity (i.e. feeding, harvesting, cleaning, etc.). Normalized Total Suspended Solids (TSS) concentrations were found to be as high as 115 mg/l during harvesting and 63 mg/l during feeding. Solids characterization studies proved farm waste solids degrade over time and that their particle size distributions are a function of the feed size and activity of a certain raceway. Waste solids accumulation studies proved that the solids removal efficiency of farm sediment traps were very low, and after a certain period of time, they reached capacity due to particle scouring. A pilot plant was constructed in the water and sludge treatability phase to prove a baffled settling scheme was sufficient to treat average and peak TSS concentrations during a normal workweek. The study found optimal TSS removals at detention times of 15-20 minutes, and overflow rates of 77.4 – 48.9 m3/m2·d. Given economic, spatial, and operational constraints, sedimentation was found to be the most feasible treatment technology for raceway-system trout farms. / Master of Science

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-11T13:56:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTACAO MIZAEL.pdf: 994583 bytes, checksum: 2069fc6e51811cfaaa97104c1e5c243f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-04-09 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas / The matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus) is considered a promising species for fish farming in the Amazon region, for its importance in the local market and its adaptation to the culture environment. The growing phases are crucial for fish farming, by reducing the time for fattening and improve the homogeneity of the batch. The use of high-flow systems is already used for rearing of juveniles in various countries and in Brazil this system facilitates the handling and reduces spending on food and manpower. The aim of this study was to evaluate: the effect of stocking density on performance, water quality and economic indices in the rearing of juvenile matrinxã using the continuous flow of water. The experiment was conducted at Fazenda Agroindustrial Ltda Tambaqui, located on Highway AM - 010 to 143 km, from december 2009 to February 2010. We used a batch of 3,000 juvenile matrinxã homogeneous, with average length 3.03 ± 1.69 cm, acquired the Fazenda Santo Antonio. The design was completely randomized in four stocking densities (T1=50 fish/m3, T2=100 fish/m3, T3=150 fish/m3 and T4=200 fish/m3) with three replications in 12 circular tanks fiberglass 1 m3. We calculated the parameters of growth performance, survival rate, feed conversion, biomass gain, total fuel consumption, specific growth rate and rate of increase in weight. The parameters of water quality analysis: they were electrical conductivity, pH, and temperature and dissolved oxygen, measured daily, with a digital. Samples were collected for analysis of ammonia and nitrite in the laboratory. For the analysis of economic viability were analyzed costs of fixed investments and production, profitability and profitability. The parameters of the performance and water quality were evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test. The results of the live performance showed that the best density was 50 fish/m3. The physical and chemical parameters were within acceptable levels for fish in all treatments, however, one should take into account the concentration of dissolved oxygen in water is a limiting factor in this cropping system. Regarding the results of economic indicators and projections made, the best performance was a density of 200 fish/m3, for rearing of juvenile matrinxã system in continuous flow of water. / A matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus) é uma espécie considerada promissora para a piscicultura da região Amazônica, pela sua importância no mercado local e pela sua adaptação ao ambiente de cultivo. A fase recria é fundamental para a piscicultura, por diminuir o tempo de engorda e melhorar a homogeneidade do lote. O uso de sistemas de alto fluxo já é usado para recria de juvenis em vários países e, no Brasil, esse sistema facilita o manejo e diminui os gastos com ração e mão-de-obra. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar: o efeito da densidade de estocagem sobre o desempenho produtivo, a qualidade da água e índices econômicos na recria de juvenis de matrinxã com uso do fluxo continuo de água. O experimento foi realizado na Fazenda Agroindustrial Tambaqui Ltda, localizada na Rodovia AM 010 no km 143, no período de dezembro de 2009 a fevereiro de 2010. Foi usado um lote de 3.000 homogêneos juvenis de matrinxã, com comprimento médio 3,03±1,69 cm, adquiridos na Fazenda Santo Antônio. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, em quatro densidades de estocagem (T1= 50 peixes/m3; T2= 100 peixes/m3; T3= 150 peixes/m3 e T4= 200 peixes/m3), com três repetições, em 12 tanques circulares de fibra de vidro de 1 m3. Foram calculados os parâmetros de desempenho zootécnico, taxa de sobrevivência, conversão alimentar aparente, ganho de biomassa, consumo médio total, taxa de crescimento específico e taxa de incremento em peso. Os parâmetros de qualidade da água analisados: foram condutividade elétrica, pH, temperatura e oxigênio dissolvido, medidos diariamente, com aparelho digital. Foram coletadas amostras para análise de amônia e nitrito em laboratório. Para as análises de viabilidade econômica foram analisados os custos de investimentos fixos e de produção, rentabilidade e lucratividade. Os parâmetros de desempenho zootécnico e de qualidade de água foram submetidos à Análise de Variância (ANOVA) e teste de Tukey. Os resultados do desempenho zootécnico mostraram que a melhor densidade foi de 50 peixes/m3. Os parâmetros físico-químicos mantiveram-se dentro dos níveis aceitáveis para piscicultura em todos os tratamentos, no entanto, deve-se levar em consideração a concentração de oxigênio dissolvido na água, sendo um fator limitante nesse sistema de cultivo. Em relação aos resultados dos índices econômicos e das projeções realizadas, o melhor desempenho foi a densidade de 200 peixes/m3, para recria de juvenis de matrinxã em sistema de fluxo continuo de água.

A promising feedstock for biofuels is microalgae. The most economical means of cultivating microalgae is via open raceway ponds. However, a large gap in economic feasibility exists between algae-based biofuels and traditional petroleum fuels. Recent research at Utah State University has focused on increasing biomass growth by implementing Delta Wings (DWs). DWs are placed facing the incoming flow, with a 40 degree angle of attack to create large vortices which travel downstream. The trailing vortices increase vertical mixing, which in turn increases algal growth. Past researchers at USU quantified vertical mixing with new metrics, optimized various raceway operating conditions, and established a positive correlation between the newly defined metrics and algal growth. Research was performed with the aid of a small-scale clear acrylic raceway. Both stereo particle image velocimetry (SPIV) and acoustic Doppler velocimetry (ADV) were used to estimate the recently defined mixing metric: the vertical mixing index (VMI). The focus of this work is to ascertain additional preferred operating conditions, in particular those unique to large scale raceways, with the aid of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model validated by experimental data. Three case studies are presented herein, which analyze the DW vertical position (VP), array spacing ratio (ASR), and the projected height to depth ratio (PHDR). The criteria for these studies are the VMI and power consumption. While it was previously assumed that vertically centering the DW centroid was optimal, the first case study revealed the ideal VP to be far lower. The lowest possible VP allows the trailing vortices to travel further downstream, resulting in increased vertical mixing. The second case study entails modeling complete arrays of DWs with various spacing. This model was the first to account for an increase in the number of allowable DWs with a decrease in array spacing. The ASR study revealed the ideal array spacing to be approximately half a DW, as opposed to the initial estimate of a full DW. The third case study confirmed the largest allowable DW to be superior.

The raceway in the ironmaking blast furnace is a void in front of the hot blast tuyeres where coke and supplementary fuel burn to supply heat to the ironmaking process. The air velocity through the tuyeres is high (around 200 m/s) and this causes the coke particles to circulate in a rotating flow field inside the raceway. The size and shape of the raceway determine the gas flow dstribution, the reactions that occur, and the temperature profiles in the lower part of the blast furnace. It is for these reasons that the raceway has been extensively researched in the past. . Literature review revealed that forming and breaking of the raceway has not been yet studied. So, in the present study, we have concentrated our effort to study the formation and breaking of the raceway for different blast and bed parameters. The experiments have been performed in two-dimensional glass models. An attempt has been made to develop a correlation for each case. The formation of the void has been studied with change in parameters like density and size of the particles, bed height. The theory of the void formation has been derived from the fundamental principles. The formation of raceway, has been studied with the change in blast parameters like particle density and diameter, bed height and model width. It was found that when raceway is formed there is a sudden increment in pressure drop. The condition for breaking of the raceway, has been studied with change in blast and bed parameters like particle size and density, bed height and model width. It was observed that during the breaking of raceway, pressure decreases continuously. New semi-empirical correlations have been developed using dimensional analysis for formation of void, formation of raceway, and breaking of the raceway. The raceway growth also characterized with change in model width, flow rate, particle diameter, density of the particles and bed height. A few experimental results have been compared with published data. New semi-empirical correlation have been developed using dimensional analysis for the growth of raceway. Velocity of the gas exiting from top of the bed has been measured with the help of hot wire anemometer. It was observed that the velocity leaving from the bed is more on top of the raceway compared to the velocity leaving from the other parts of the bed. High velocity was observed near the wall of the model. Coefficient of wall-friction and angle of internal friction in presence and absence of gas were studied to explain the effect of bed height on formation of the void and raceway. It was observed that in presence of gas, coefficient of friction between the particles and wall and angle of internal friction between particles decreased, compared to the values in absence of gas. To study the effect of mixed particles, on the formation and breaking of the raceway, different sized particles in fixed proportion were taken. It was found that the experiments were more reproducible in case of uniform sized particles compared to mixed particles. It was also observed that for the same average particle diameter, mixture particles requires more velocity to form the void and raceway. New semi-empirical correlations have been developed using dimensional analysis for the formation of void, formation of raceway, growth of the raceway, and breaking of the raceway. Finally, an attempt has been made to quantify the various forces (pressure, bed weight & frictional forces) present in the raceway. Results show that further investigation is required in quantifying these forces properly.

The effects of oxygenation and aeration on water quality, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) production, and economics were compared at the Wytheville State Fish Hatchery (WSFH) for 270 days. Mean dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations and delta DO were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the oxygenated raceways (9.5 and 2.75 mg/L, respectively) compared to aerated raceways (7.4 and 0.57 mg/L). Total settleable solids loads were significantly greater (P < 0.001) in aerated raceways (10.3 g/L/day) than in oxygenated raceways (8.8 g/L/day). Dissolved nitrogen (%), total gas pressure, and other water quality parameters (CO2, nitrite nitrogen, alkalinity, pH, and TAN) did not differ significantly between the treatments (P > 0.05). Raceway trout production (kg/day), trout growth rates (grams), feed conversion rate (FCR), and fish survival were not significantly different between treatments (P > 0.05). Blood hematocrit (Hct) and percent visceral mass were significantly elevated (P < 0.001) in oxygenated raceways compared to aerated raceways at 46 and 14.4% and 44 and 13%, respectively. Carrying capacity estimates derived from fish loading trials were significantly different (P < 0.001) at 3,355 and 2,217 kg/raceway in oxygenated and aerated raceways, respectively. Estimates of carrying capacity calculated using a fish loading (Ld) equation were also significantly different (P < 0.001) at 1,530 and 990 kg for oxygenated and aerated raceways, respectively. Oxygen injection increased the cost of production by $0.20/kg, however, net present value analysis (NPV) of oxygenated and aerated raceways over 5 years at a 10% discount rate yielded estimates of $50,666.51 and $32,742.15, respectively. Oxygen injection is an effective means of increasing DO concentrations, reducing effluent solids loading, and increasing raceway carrying capacity. / Master of Science

Turbulent mixing plays an important role in the distribution of sunlight, carbon dioxide, and nutrients for algae in the raceway ponds. For large-scale raceway ponds the choice of mixing technology still needs to be evaluated in order to prevent algae sedimentation and to enhance light utilization efficiency. In open ponds, mixing the algae culture is of great significance in terms of input energy costs and particularly productivity. A very small amount of research has been performed previously using different vortex generators in the algal raceway ponds, but the quantification of mixing depth relationships is not defined well. By accepting the premise from the literature review that mixing increases algal production, delta wings were selected to study mixing characteristics in the raceway. The main objective of this research was to study algae-raceway hydrodynamics with an emphasis on increasing vertical mixing. A clear acrylic raceway was designed and constructed for flow visualization studies. Experimental investigations were performed to quantify the vertical mixing with and without delta wings in a lab-scale raceway at approximately the same power input to the paddle wheel. Velocity vector profiles and turbulence parameters were measured using an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) at various locations along the entire length of the raceway. The results indicated that the addition of delta wings increases the vertical mixing intensity or circulation of algae cells over the raceway depth. Vortices were observed in the raceway up to a distance of around 3 m downstream of the delta wing. This sort of systematic vertical mixing plays an important role to produce the flashing light effect (light-dark cycles) on algae mass culture. In addition, turbulence dissipation rates were evaluated to compare them with the published literature and to estimate the microscales using the Kolmogorov hypothesis. Also, an energy model was developed to operate the paddlewheel-driven raceway with the delta wing.