PHOTOBIOREACTOR:

Algae Cultivation
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Operating
Procedure

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 Operating Procedure

◈ The main cavity of the photobioreactor must be flushed with a bleach

solution prior to use, in order to prevent contamination. Then rinse the
photobioreactor with sterilized water.
◈ Make the growth medium. According to the nutrient requirements of
Chlorella, mix 2g fertilizer per liter of water. The growth medium must be
sterilized in the pressure cooker in the same manner as the water.
◈ Add the growth medium and algae culture to the photobioreactor.
◈ Turn on the air pump.
◈ Set the timer for the lighting so that the light is on for 16 hours a day, and
off for 8.
◈ Monitor the pH and temperature daily to ensure it stays within the optimal
range. If the pH falls below 7, lower the carbon dioxide flow.
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◈ Every three days, add growth medium to compensate for the loss
of volume due to evaporation and the nutrients uptaken by algae.
◈ At 10 days, stop adding fertilizer to the photobioreactor. Add only
sterilized water. This will allow nitrogen deprivation to take
place, and will increase the oil content of the algae.
◈ At 20 days, harvest the algae. Flush a large basin with the same
bleach solution used to sterilize the photobioreactor, and then
rinse it with sterilized water. Open the valve at the bottom of the
photobioreactor and allow the algae solution to flow into the
basin.
◈ Conserve 250mL of the harvested algae for the next batch.
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 Design
The proposed design of photobioreactor

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Preliminary Design

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 Expected Result

0.34 g dry weight of biomass /l/day; the biomass obtained after 20

days would be of 102g dry biomass

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 Cost Analysis

Algae Culture + Fertilizer P500

Air Pump P700
Fluorescent lamp P300
24 Hours Mechanical Electrical Plug Program Timer
Power Switch Energy Saver P500
Fabrication of photobioreactor P5000 - 10000
Solar powered Air Pump P1,000

TOTAL:

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