17. Application and implication¶
1. What will it do?¶
The main aim of my project is to enable control and efficient experimental cultivation of microalgae. To grow, microalgae need 4 elements :
- light
- nutrients
- the right temperature
- CO2
So I have to supply all these compounds. A simple way to grow microalgae is to use tubes, also known as tubular reactors, which is the method I’ve chosen. These tubes are placed in a cabinet for convenience. Nutrients are supplied by the nutrient solution placed in the tubes, so this is not my role. CO2 is added via an air inlet at the bottom of the tube, and passes through a diffuser. Temperature will be managed by passive and active regulation of the cabinet. Finally, light will be managed by LEDs at the bottom of the cabinet.
2. Who’s done what beforehand?¶
There is a commercial version of what I do, like this company, but the cost is over 10,000 euro for what I do. The aim of my project is to get as close as possible to the commercial version, but with a cost divided by 10 or more. There is an exemple :
3. What will you design? What will you make?¶
Well… Almost all???
For my project, all the parts I design and make are :
- the cabinet
- the bottom of the tubes
- the top of the tubes
- small joint
- the cooling system
- LED system
- diffusion system
- non-return valve
These parts were purchased:
- PMMA tubes
- screw and nuts
- joint between tubes and other parts
4. What materials and components will be used? Where will come from? How much will they cost?¶
(All cost in euros)
| Part | Part in project | quantity | Price | Total price | Supplyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screw (hexagon head 8mm) | Screw | 180pc | 0.10 | 18.00 | RS |
| Nuts | Nuts | 180pc | 0.10 | 18.00 | RS |
| Resin | Bottom of reactor | 10x33 + 10x151ml | 0.118 | 217.12 | Formlabs |
| Big joint (90mm) | Big Joint | 20pc | 0.80 | 16.00 | Amazon |
| Small joint | Small joint | 10pc | 0 | 0 | Trash |
| LEDs (13m) | LEDs | 3pc | 22.00 | 66.00 | Amazon |
| Sponge | Diffuser | 2pc | 1.00 | 2.00 | Amazon |
| PMMA Glue | PMMA Glue | 100ml | 0.13 | 13.00 | Amazon |
| Marine vernish | Wather resistance | 750ml | 0.021 | 16.00 | Amazon |
| Wood plank | Box | 3.12 m2 | 28.00 | 85.00 | Barillet |
| PMMA Tubes | Tubes | 10pc | 20.60 | 206.00 | Plasti service |
| Fans | Air cooler | 2pc | 0 | 0 | Trash |
| RP2040 | Electronics | 1 | 4.38 | 4.38 | Digikey |
| Resistances 0 OHM | Electronics | 3 | 0.01 | 0.03 | Digikey |
| Resistances 10 OHM | Electronics | 1 | 0.01 | 0.01 | Digikey |
| N mofset | Electronics | 2 | 0.20 | 0.20 | Digikey |
| Thermistor | Electronics | 1 | 1.50 | 1.50 | Digikey |
| Regulator 3.3V | Electronics | 1 | 0.30 | 0.30 | Digikey |
| Diode 1.3A | Electronics | 2 | 0.30 | 0.30 | Digikey |
| Capacitor 10uF | Electronics | 1 | 0.10 | 0.10 | Digikey |
| Capacitor 1uF | Electronics | 3 | 0.01 | 0.01 | Digikey |
| 12V connector | Electronics | 1 | 0.60 | 0.60 | Digikey |
6. What processes will be used?¶
A number of processes were used for my project:
- Stereolithography: tube bottoms and non-return valve
- Laser: seals and cover
- CNC: cabinet design and other wooden parts
- Small CNC: electronic circuits
- Soldering: electronic circuits
7. What questions need to be answered?¶
How do you build a cheap and efficient tubular laboratory reactor for microalgae?
8. How will it be evaluated?¶
The first part (to be validated) is a simple part with the air system. There’s a temperature sensor, and when it gets too hot, the fans come on. Next, I’ll do the LED system, and if I have enough time, a data collection system (temperature, pH, turbidity).
My local instructor will validate it when he thinks I’m ready, then the global will do so.