Goal Statement

As a result of waning fossil fuel resources it is desirable to have access to a sustainable alternative energy source. Microalgae photo bioreactors are viable options for simple and sustainable energy source production. The operation of these bioreactors has the potential for automation and produces environmentally friendly biomass and biogas which have many widespread applications, as aforementioned. The current state of microalgae photo bioreactors is very dependent on consistent maintenance and check-ups to keep the algae growing. In addition, there are no viable methods for automated harvesting of the microalgae. This is unsatisfactory because it limits the scope of utilizing microalgae as a large scale biofuel source. UFPR in conjunction with FSU are sponsoring the Senior Design team to develop a continuous harvesting system which requires minimal intervention as a solution to the harvesting problem.

Goal Statement: “Design of an automated and continuous harvesting system for microalgae”

Figure 1. Process schematic of automated microalgae harvesting system.
Figure 2. Expanded CAD and picture of system with all components labeled and direction of process shown.

Click here to see extra information and pictures

Objectives

Biomass production process must be fully automated. From cultivation through collection and flocculation to separation.
System must have ability to separate produced biomass and clarified water.
Must work for batch, semicontinuous, and continuous collection.
Must incorporate continuous flocculation and sedimentation.
Must be sustainable, both in construction and in process.
Minimized energy and resource consumption.
System must be scalable.
Harvesting system will work with different species of algae.

Constraints

The developed system must work with FSU’s current skeleton photobioreactor infrastructure.
The total cost may not exceed $1,500.
The clarified medium must be recyclable.
The produced biomass must remain usable.
The entire system’s flow rate will be dictated by the growth rate of the utilized microalgae. The growth rate of each algae is different and therefore the system must be able to adapt.

Group Updates

See what we've been up to recently

  • Update 4/7/16

    Lysing Process Begins

  • Update 4/7/16

    Litre of Algae Arrives

  • Update 4/5/16

    Walk through Presentation at College of Engineering

  • Update 3/12/16

    Team 9 wins 2nd place in Alabama Competition

  • Update 3/4/16

    Spring Break Begins

  • Update 3/2/16

    Electrodes Constructed

  • Update 2/20/16

    Construction for Automation Begins

  • Update 2/10/16

    Algae Cell Count Begins

  • Update 1/19/16

    Construction for airlift began

  • Update 1/19/16

    Update Presentation

  • Update 1/10/16

    Algae ordered

  • Update 1/06/16

    Team reunited at FSU

  • Update 11/23/15

    Website updated

  • Update 11/23/15

    Group Meeting

  • Update 11/20/15

    Automated system components ordered

  • Update 11/17/15

    Midterm Presentation 2

  • Update 11/16/15

    Group Meeting

  • Update 11/13/15

    Pulsed electrical field flocculator components considered

  • Update 11/9/15

    Group Meeting

  • Update 11/2/15

    Group Meeting

  • Update 11/1/15

    FSU algae cultivation complications-excessive evaporation.

  • Update 10/26/15

    Group Meeting

  • Update 10/26/15

    FSU algae cultivation initiated

  • Update 10/23/15

    FSU algae cultivation infastructure implemented

  • Update 10/20/15

    Midterm Presentation I

  • Update 10/20/15

    Conceptual Design Completed

  • Update 10/19/15

    Group Meeting

  • Update 10/13/15

    Sponsor Meeting with Dr. Ordonez- discussed budget and lab set up

  • Update 10/12/15

    Group Meeting

  • Update 10/8/15

    Project Plans and Specifications Report Submitted

  • Update 10/5/15

    First website launch