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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

The mounted plexiglass should look like this.

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

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

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.

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

Make 2 marks directly in front of each pump.

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

Cut 4 pieces of tubing 18 inches.

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

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.

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.

Congratulations!! You have a algae photo bioreactor !