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How to Construct an Algae Photobioreactor

A photobioreactor is a constructed environment for algalculture, or the growing and harvesting of algae. To culture a particular algae strain in the most efficient manner possible, they are designed to regulate carbon dioxide, nutrient, light, and temperature levels. One important by-product of algalculture is a type of oil which can be extracted and mixed with methanol to form biodiesel, a type of alternative fuel which can run in traditional diesel engines.

Things You'll Need

Aquarium air bubbler
In-line check valve
6-foot section of 3/4-inch clear PVC piping
3/4-inch PVC pipe end cap
Right angle 3/4- to 1/2-inch threaded adapter with end-cap
3/4-inch T-piece with 1/2-inch T section, threaded
Right angle 3/8-inch barbed to 1/2-inch threaded fitting
1/4-inch threaded brass fitting with a 1/8-inch barbed end
2-inch length of 3/4-inch PVC pipe
Power drill with 1/8-inch drill bit
PVC cement
Silicone plumbing sealant
Viable algal culture
Culture medium suitable to the algae which is to be cultivated
12-inch fluorescent light and fixture
Power source
Air pump
12-inch section of 1/2-inch clear plastic tubing
3-inch section of 1/8-inch clear plastic tubing
Set of wrenches, standard

Instructions

- 1
  Connect a 3/4-inch T-piece to a right angle 3/4- to 1/2-inch threaded adapter by covering the 2-inch length of 3/4-inch PVC pipe with PVC cement and inserting it into the 3/4-inch end of both pieces. Connect a right angle 3/8-inch barbed to 1/2-inch threaded fitting and a 1/4-inch threaded brass fitting with a 1/8-inch barbed end together by wrenching the 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch ends of the two fittings together. Screw the 1/2-inch threaded section of the 3/8-inch barbed fitting into the 1/2-inch section of a T-piece. Using a 3-inch section of 1/8-inch clear plastic tubing, connect the 1/8-inch barbed end brass fitting to an aquarium bubbler.
- 2
  Connect the T-piece's free 3/4-inch end to the 6-foot section of 3/4-inch clear PVC pipe and seal with silicone. Screw the 1/2-inch threaded end-cap onto the 1/2-inch end of the right angle threaded adapter. Prepare a culture medium mix with an adequate volume of water to fill the entirety of the array. Colonize the medium with algal culture.
- 3
  Drill a hole into the center of the 3/4-inch PVC end cap using a 1/8-inch drill bit. Attach the end cap to the open end of the 6-foot 3/4-inch clear PVC section. Place the array upright with the 3/4-inch PVC end cap facing up. Connect the 12-inch fluorescent light to a power source and mount on the wall directly behind, and parallel with, the array. Connect the array to the in-line control valve and air pump, using 12-inch section of 1/2-inch clear plastic tubing.

Nature