| abstract |
The present invention relates to a photobioreactor intended for the notably continuous culture of photosynthetic microorganisms, preferably microalgae, comprising at least one culture enclosure ( 1 ) intended to contain the microorganism culture medium ( 3 ) and at least one light source ( 2 ) outside the culture enclosure ( 1 ),n characterized in that it further comprises at least one cylindrical or prismatic light diffusion element ( 4 ) placed inside the culture enclosure ( 1 ), the light diffusion element ( 4 ) being coupled optically with the light source ( 2 ) so as to collect the photons emitted by the light source ( 2 ) and to return them to the culture medium ( 3 ) by its lateral surface. nn The present invention also relates to the use of a photobioreactor to cultivate photosynthetic microorganisms and to the use of a light diffusion element ( 4 ) to illuminate the culture medium of a photobioreactor. |