Algae Photobioreactor Life-Support Simulator

This 2D simulator models a microalgae photobioreactor as a bioregenerative life-support component: a sealed, LED-lit tank of Chlorella-like algae that fixes CO₂ and releases O₂ through photosynthesis, exactly the kind of closed-loop biotechnology studied for long-duration spacecraft and lunar/Mars habitats. Growth follows real Monod light-limited kinetics combined with Beer–Lambert self-shading, so a denser culture blocks its own light and growth saturates rather than climbing forever. Unlike a snapshot balance bar, this version integrates the reactor's net O₂/CO₂ output against crew respiration into a running cabin-atmosphere mass balance, so the live O₂%/CO₂% chart shows the actual closed-loop system either settling into a sustainable steady state or drifting toward hypoxia or hypercapnia — a genuine consequence of the parameters you choose, not a scripted outcome. Adjust LED intensity, reactor volume, dilution rate, CO₂ sparge rate and crew size to explore the trade-offs.