Sustainable Algae Photobioreactor Project
Project Leader: Matthew Kozuch Team Members: Cheryl Ching, Lucas Filshill, Cole Triebold, Jenna Shakiban, Julia Sawaya, Andy Keeton
Website: http://berkeleyalgaereactor.weebly.com/
PROJECT OVERVIEW & PURPOSE
• To create a comprehensive novel photobioreactor that produces algae or cyanobacteria for creating biodiesel. • To display and educate to the campus body that algae biodiesel is a feasible, clean energy alternative to fossil fuels and even corn biodiesel.
METHODS & MATERIALS
• The photobioreactor design includes a power source (solar panels), 6-watt air pumps, and thin rubber tubing to bubble up air and CO2 through the reactor, as well as larger, clear, polycarbonate tubes to contain the algae and water mix. • All of these materials will be structured through a triangular steel platform (pictured right) that was constructed by Berlin Food Equipment in South San Francisco. • Specific microalgal filters (pictured to right) will additionally be used to extract and strain biomass.
PROJECT LOCATION
• The reactor is currently housed in the Oxford Tract greenhouses (pictured below), about two blocks from the northeast corner of the UC Berkeley campus, provided through the College of Natural Resources (CNR). • The greenhouses provide grow lights, temperature control capabilities, and outlets that allow for optimal algal growth control.
FUTURE GOALS
• In the short-term, the reactor will start growing and producing algae at a high, efficient rate; additionally, it will be moved onto campus to showcase to the student body sometime in the next year. • The long-term goals are to create a self-powered and self-sustaining reactor system that can convert algal biomass into a workable, functioning biofuel.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
•This work was supported by a grant from the Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) for $1700.
TGIF’s mission on campus is to “provide funding for projects that reduce UC Berkeley's negative impact on the environment and make UC Berkeley more sustainable.” •The project was also made possible through ESW-Berkeley, whose goal is “to forge innovate, lasting solutions to local and global sustainability challenges.”