Design an automation of a photobioreactor for microalgae production

Algae have become a multi-billion sector in terms of biotechnology development that is expected to grow rapidly, providing valuable goods and services in multiple applications. Microalgae species are recently in the spotlight for biofuels production like biodiesel, bioethanol and biohydrogen. Algae are also used as a biofertiliser, source of nutrient and for controlling pollution. Algae being a photosynthetic organism are produced in the photo bioreactors. Hence the design and development of photobioreactors for maximum production of algae is very important. However, A photobioreactor (PBR) is a bioreactor that utilizes a light source to cultivate phototrophic microorganisms.[1]These organisms use photosynthesis to generate biomass from light and carbon dioxide and include plants, mosses, microalgae, microalgae, cyanobacteria and purple bacteria. Within the artificial environment of a photobioreactor, specific conditions are carefully controlled for respective species. This paper summarizes some strains’ optimal growth conditions including temperature, PH, lighting and salt supply at maximum specific growth rate. The overall goal is to design a cultivation system of chlorella, which contains dosing pump, valve, PBR, and other devices. It needs to use CAD software to design and draw a p&id diagram. The specifications of variables are generated in an I/O table, which are used for PLC program. The scope of this research was to design a concept for an automated PLC system to control PH, temperature, the supply of nutriments, the Lux of lighting, flux and so on. The implications of this research may lead to technology that can be used as a base model to further improve algae cultivation systems.