How to Make an Algae Test Photo Bioreactor...Part Six

Air System Fabrication

This multi-part instrucable gives a step-by-step instructions on making an algae test photo bioreactor. This can be used in any application that calls for testing and/or growing algae, to determine maximum growth rates, best nutrients, etc., such as...

Making algae biodiesel,
Animal feed,
Organic fertilizer,
Cosmetics,
Health food supplements and many more.

Because this is more involved than can be explained clearly in a single instructable, I'll have to include multiple parts.

You can download a complete free eBook here:

http://www.making-biodiesel-books.com/bioreactor.html

It includes a complete parts list, color diagrams, step-by-step instructions, and full color photos.

Step 1: Air System Fabrication...1

Materials needed:

Left over plexiglass
Plastic tubing
(2) 4-way valves
(2) 2-way valves
(2) XP-60 air pumps
Velcro
Left over plastic tubing

Tools Needed:

Utility knife
Drill and bit

Step 2: Air System Fabrication...2

Take a piece of left over plexi-glass and cut it 6" inches by 18" inches. Measure and mark directly in the middle at 9 inches. Draw a lines directly down the middle.

Step 3: Air System Fabrication...2

Measure again cross-wise at 3" inches, and make another line across so that you have the exactly middle of the plexiglass.

Step 4: Air System Fabrication...3

Mark a spot directly in the middle, 2 more at the top, and one at the bottom of the centerline.

Pre-drill each marked spot.

Step 5: Air System Fabrication...4

Mount the control panel cross piece directly under the top castle, leaving 3-4 inches of space between the top castle and the control panel. Screw in the middle screw, level, and screw in the rest of the screws.

Step 6: Air System Fabrication...5

The mounted plexiglass should look like this.

Step 7: Air System Fabrication...6

Mount the valves on the control panel&there is no need at the point in securing them. Simply hang them from the top.

Step 8: Air System Fabrication...7

Label your bio cells at this point. Label each 1-5, L (left) and 1-5 (Right)

Step 9: Air System Fabrication...8

Hook up each air line from the bio-cell to the corresponding outlet on the valve.

Do this for both left and right sides.

All 10 bio cells should be hooked up now.

Step 10: Air System Fabrication...9

Mount the 2 air pumps, side by side, on top of the castle.

Make 2 marks directly in front of each pump.

Step 11: Air System Fabrication...10

Drill a 1/2 inch hole in the marked spots.

Step 12: Air System Fabrication...11

Cut 4 pieces of tubing 18 inches.

Step 13: Air System Fabrication...12

Hook up the tubing to the air pumps, run the tubing through the holes you just made, then hook up to the valves.

Step 14: Air System Fabrication...13

Cut the Velcro into 3 inch pieces. Apply to one side of the air pump, and the other piece to the top castle.

Fix air pump to the top castle.

Step 15: Air System Fabrication...14

Add some water to each cell, just enough to cover the air stones. Plug in the air pumps. Each cell should come alive with bubbling air.

You have completed the air system assembly.

Step 16: Air System Fabrication...15

Congratulations!! You have a algae photo bioreactor !