Introduction: Marcelo Arteaga Mata's Algae Bioreactor
(Here is a blueprint for a cheap homemade algae bioreactor or photobioreactor which you can use to cultivate algae for the purpose of producing biomass) So I have been interested on algae bio-fuel for a long time and during this summer I had the chance of pursing this interest. However, I do not have large garden to cultivate large amounts of algae for my experiments so I had to come up with some kind of device to grow lots of algae on a small space at a low cost. After doing some research I decided that growing algae on some type of vertical garden would be the most efficient way to do it. So without further ado...
Step 1: Materials
- Laundry Drying Rack
- Two Column Pump (https://store.windowfarms.com/parts/two-column-pump-for-two-column-windowfarm.html)
- Reservoir with Handle (https://store.windowfarms.com/parts/reservoir-with-handle-for-one-column-windowfarm.html)
- Reservoir Cover (https://store.windowfarms.com/parts/reservoir-cover-for-one-column-windowfarm.html)
- Bottom Tubing Assembly (https://store.windowfarms.com/parts/bottom-tubing-assembly-for-one-column-windowfarm.html)
- Rubber Connector (https://store.windowfarms.com/parts/rubber-connector-for-one-column-windowfarm.html)
- Rigid Tube (https://store.windowfarms.com/parts/rigid-tube-for-one-column-windowfarm.html)
- Flexible Tubing (https://store.windowfarms.com/parts/flexible-tubing-for-one-column-windowfarm.html)
- Scissors
- 10 Large Ziploc Bags
- Clear Duct Tape
- 2 Straws
- Two Column Pump (https://store.windowfarms.com/parts/two-column-pump-for-two-column-windowfarm.html)
- Reservoir with Handle (https://store.windowfarms.com/parts/reservoir-with-handle-for-one-column-windowfarm.html)
- Reservoir Cover (https://store.windowfarms.com/parts/reservoir-cover-for-one-column-windowfarm.html)
- Bottom Tubing Assembly (https://store.windowfarms.com/parts/bottom-tubing-assembly-for-one-column-windowfarm.html)
- Rubber Connector (https://store.windowfarms.com/parts/rubber-connector-for-one-column-windowfarm.html)
- Rigid Tube (https://store.windowfarms.com/parts/rigid-tube-for-one-column-windowfarm.html)
- Flexible Tubing (https://store.windowfarms.com/parts/flexible-tubing-for-one-column-windowfarm.html)
- Scissors
- 10 Large Ziploc Bags
- Clear Duct Tape
- 2 Straws
Step 2: Assemble Parts
- Cut a hole at the bottom of each Ziploc bag.
- Duck tape 5 Ziploc bags together.
- Assemble the pump and the tube system as shown in picture.
- Assemble each string of Ziploc bags in the rack.
- Cover one side of each of the straws with duck tape so that it will fir into the top of the rigid tube.
- Make a hole to the top Ziploc bag and insert the straw side without duck tape in it.
- Duck tape 5 Ziploc bags together.
- Assemble the pump and the tube system as shown in picture.
- Assemble each string of Ziploc bags in the rack.
- Cover one side of each of the straws with duck tape so that it will fir into the top of the rigid tube.
- Make a hole to the top Ziploc bag and insert the straw side without duck tape in it.
Step 3: Duck Tape Everything!
Duck tape everything that may leak.