Abstract
Pulsed electric field (PEF) is an emerging nonthermal technique with promising applications in microalgae biorefinery concepts. In this work, the flow field in continuous PEF processing and its influencing factors were analyzed and energy input distributions in PEF treatment chambers were investigated. The results were obtained using an interdisciplinary approach that combined multiphysics simulations with ultrasonic Doppler velocity profiling (UVP) and rheological measurements of Arthrospira platensis suspensions as a case study for applications in the biobased industry. UVP enabled non-invasive validation of multiphysics simulations. A. platensis suspensions follow a non-Newtonian, shear-thinning behavior, and measurement data could be fitted with rheological functions, which were used as an input for fluid dynamics simulations. Within the present work, a comprehensive system characterization was achieved that will facilitate research in the field of PEF processing.
Highlights
Nonthermal processes such as pulsed electric field (PEF) can be used to effectively process biomass (Mahnič-Kalamiza et al, 2014; Rocha et al, 2018; Vorobiev and Lebovka, 2008)
The results were obtained using an interdisciplinary approach that combined multiphysics simulations with ultrasonic Doppler velocity profiling (UVP) and rheological measurements of Arthrospira platensis suspensions as a case study for applications in the biobased industry
A. platensis suspensions follow a non-Newtonian, shear-thinning behavior, and measurement data could be fitted with rheological functions, which were used as an input for fluid dynamics simulations
Summary
Nonthermal processes such as pulsed electric field (PEF) can be used to effectively process biomass (Mahnič-Kalamiza et al, 2014; Rocha et al, 2018; Vorobiev and Lebovka, 2008). Computational tools can aid in understanding the different process factors involved in PEF and how those influence the treatment (Fiala et al, 2001; Gerlach et al, 2008; Meneses et al, 2011c) For those reasons, numerical simulations are used in this work to gain a better understanding of flow fields in PEF processing. A comprehensive approach is taken to achieve a homogenous and comparable energy input from PEF, considering electric and flow field inhomogeneities This novel approach combines multiphysics simulation with noninvasive UVP measurement and rheological validation, enabling a comprehensive PEF system analysis and laying the foundation for improved microalgae processing
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