This is our custom made Photobioreactor (PBR) where we cultivate Chlorella vulgaris with the use of hydroponic effluent istead of synthetic algae nutrient media. Our PBR has a high tech monitoring system giving us access to all the physicochemical parameters of the culture.
Hello. Judging by the attached photo, the color of the nutrient medium is not green enough, indicating low Chlorella levels. At the same time, a significant accumulation of dark sediment can be seen on the lower walls of the reactor tubes. It can be assumed that optimal growing conditions were not met, leading to sedimentation of the Chlorella.
Hello, and thank you for your thoughtful observation! This is a pilot-scale bioreactor, and we are currently investigating the replacement of the conventional synthetic growth medium with nutrient-rich hydroponic effluent. This transition can affect the culture conditions, including biomass growth and attachment to the PBR surfaces. Identifying and optimizing the conditions required for stable Chlorella cultivation is one of the main objectives of our work. We would be very happy to hear any recommendations or relevant experience you may wish to share, so please feel free to contact us!
Hello. If we’re talking about hydroponic effluent collected after watering hydroponically grown plants, it should be similar in composition to traditional nutrient media (such as Tamiya). To prevent the Chlorella from settling on the walls and to keep it suspended, it’s necessary to ensure the liquid is agitated. This is most easily achieved by vigorously bubbling atmospheric air. However, given the complex design of your bioreactor and its horizontal orientation, establishing effective bubbling may be a challenging technical task.
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