The original ARID (Algae Raceway Integrated Design) raceway was an effective method to increase temperature toward the optimal growth range. However, the energy input was high and flow mixing was poor. Thus, the ARID-HV (High Velocity Algae Raceway Integrated Design) raceway was developed to reduce energy input requirements and improve flow mixing. This was accomplished by improving pumping efficiency and using a serpentine flow pattern in which the water flows through channels instead of over barriers. A prototype ARID-HV system was installed in Tucson, Arizona, and the constructability, reliability of components, drainage of channels, and flow and energy requirements of the ARID-HV raceway were evaluated. Each of the electrical energy inputs to the raceway (air sparger, air tube blower, canal lift pump, and channel recirculation pump) was quantified, some by direct measurement and others by simulation. An algae growth model was used to determine the algae production rate vs. flow depth and time of year. Then the electrical energy requirement of the most effective flow depth was calculated. Channel hydraulics was evaluated with Manning's equation and the corner head loss equation. In this way, the maximum length of channels for several raceway slopes and mixing velocities were determined. Algae production in the ARID-HV raceway was simulated with a temperature and light growth model. An energy efficient design for the ARID-HV raceway was developed.
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