A custom 3D printed paddlewheel improves growth in flat panel photobioreactor
- Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)
One of the main challenges with using flat panel photobioreactors for algal growth is uneven mixing and settling of cells in corners, especially when bubbling is the only method used for mixing. Here, in order to improve mixing in our flat panel reactor, we designed a custom paddlewheel. Paddlewheels are frequently used in outdoor algae raceway ponds to improve mixing and we are taking advantage of the same principle for mixing in the reactor. The paddlewheel is easily integrated into our PSI FMT150 1‐L flat panel photobioreactor and is printed on a 3D printer using high temperature poly lactic acid (HT‐PLA). With the inclusion of an annealing step, the paddlewheel is autoclavable. Addition of the paddlewheel in the reactor minimized cell settling and improved algal growth, as evidenced by a nearly 40% increase in oxygen production rates. Nutrient dispersion and utilization in the culture was also improved as evidenced by a corresponding 38% decrease in CO2 concentration. The paddlewheel device presented here is a cost‐effective method for improving algal growth in a flat panel photobioreactor.
- Research Organization:
- Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- SC0019171; SC0023027
- OSTI ID:
- 2568138
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 2282228
OSTI ID: 2568139
- Journal Information:
- Biotechnology Progress, Journal Name: Biotechnology Progress Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 40; ISSN 1520-6033; ISSN 8756-7938
- Publisher:
- Society for Biological EngineeringCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
