Flat-plate photobioreactors (FPPBRs) are widely reported for cultivation of microalgae. In this work, a novel FPPBR mounted with inclined baffles was developed, which can make the fluid produce a "spirality" flow. The flow field and cell trajectory in the photobioreactor were investigated by using computational fluid dynamics. In addition, the cell trajectory was analyzed using a Fast Fourier transformation. The influence of height of the baffles, the angle α between the inclined baffle and fluid inlet flow direction (z), and the fluid inlet velocity on the frequency of flashing light effect and pressure drop were examined to optimize the structure parameters of the inclined baffles and operating conditions of the photobioreactor. The results showed that with inclined baffles built-in, significant swirl flow could be generated in the FPPBR. In this way, the flashing light effect for microalgal cell could also be achieved and the photosynthesis efficiency of microalgae could be promoted. In outdoor cultivation of freshwater Chlorella sp., the maximum biomass productivity of Chlorella sp. cultivated in the photobioreactor with inclined baffles was 29.94% higher than that of the photobioreactor without inclined baffles.

While alliances continue to be an important tool for airlines as they seek to expand their networks to compete more effectively with other larger networks, the effects of alliances and market liberalization on air transport market competition and airline performance have received relatively little attention. This research empirically investigates the effects of liberalization, and airline alliances, on airline competition. The analysis is based on 5,021 data sets focusing on 197 routes between the gateway cities of the major airlines' home countries. Findings show that airline passenger market share and route network share are significantly increased with increasing alliance activity. Also, airlines have a greater number of flights, passengers and passenger seats on routes for which they are involved in higher levels of cooperation and operate in more liberal markets. This suggests that multiple cooperation structures contribute more than bilateral airline service agreements to the overcoming of restrictive regulatory frameworks, enabling more effective competition.

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