Photobioreactor Light and Temperature Control for Microalgae
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photobioreactors face challenges in establishing optimal production conditions for microalgae cultivation, particularly in controlling light and temperature, which are crucial for biomass productivity, and are difficult for unskilled researchers to manage effectively.
Innovation Solution
A high throughput photobioreactor with a chamber, plate, and multiple wells, equipped with light sources, a light quantity controller using a gradation film or dimmers, and a temperature controller featuring separate pipes for heating and cooling, allowing precise control of light and temperature conditions across a wide range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a photobioreactor uses conventional light sources and temperature control systems, then the basic cultivation function is achieved, but the control precision and ease of operation for multiple parameters deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is divided into multiple wells, each capable of receiving different light intensities and temperature conditions independently. The light source is segmented into multiple independent controllable units (e.g., LED modules) that can be controlled individually or in groups, allowing precise control of light quantity for each well without requiring a complex centralized control system for the entire plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic control capabilities where light intensity and temperature can be adjusted in real-time for different wells. The light quantity controller and temperature controller enable dynamic modification of cultivation parameters during the experiment, allowing researchers to easily adapt conditions without complex reconfiguration of the entire system.
2Productivity
If a photobioreactor is designed for high throughput with multiple wells, then the productivity increases, but the difficulty of controlling optimal conditions for each well increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cultivation system is segmented into multiple independent wells on a single plate, allowing parallel cultivation of multiple microalgae strains or conditions. Each well receives light from independent LED modules that can be controlled individually, enabling high-throughput experimentation without requiring proportionally complex control systems for each well.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate structure serves multiple functions: it holds multiple wells for cultivation, acts as a mounting platform for light sources, and provides a framework for temperature control. The same hardware components (light sources, temperature control system) serve all wells simultaneously, achieving high throughput without linearly increasing system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the photobioreactor uses simple light control mechanisms, then the device complexity is reduced, but the precision of light quantity control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light control system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through dimmers or pulse-width modulation (PWM) controllers that can precisely regulate light intensity for each LED module. This allows continuous variation of light quantity from 0% to 100% of maximum output, providing precise control without requiring complex optical filtering systems or multiple light sources of different intensities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls light quantity by changing the electrical parameters (current, duty cycle) of the LED modules rather than using complex optical attenuators or filters. By adjusting the electrical input parameters to the LEDs, precise control of light intensity is achieved through simple electronic control circuits rather than complex optical mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the establishment of optimal production conditions for microalgae cultivation, allowing unskilled researchers to easily control light and temperature, thereby efficiently cultivating various microalgae types and enhancing culture efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light sources (520) installed in the chamber (101) and irradiating light toward the plate (110)
Implementation Method 2
a temperature controller (600) controlling a temperature of the plate (110)
Implementation Method 3
a light quantity controller (130) positioned on an upper part of the plate (110) to make quantities of light irradiated to the plurality of wells (111) different
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a high throughput photobioreactor. The high throughput photobioreactor includes: a chamber; a plate installed in the chamber and mounted with a plurality of wells; a plurality of light sources installed in the chamber and irradiating light toward the plate; a light quantity controller positioned on an upper part of the plate to make quantities of light irradiated to the plurality of wells different; and a temperature controller controlling a temperature of the plate.