Benchtop Photobioreactors for Algal Research in Sustainable Lipid Production and Utilization
Stream 1: Algal multicultivators
Stream 2: Flat-panel photobioreactors (small capacity)
Stream 3: Flat-panel photobioreactor (large capacity)
Mandatory Technical Requirements:
1. Algal multicultivator (Stream 1)
1.1 Each multicultivator must have at least eight (8) individual cultivation tubes
1.2 Each tube must have a volume capacity of at least 85 mls
1.3 The cultivation vessel must allow for aeration and the system must include an air pump
1.4 The cultivation vessel must allow for humidification of incoming air
1.5 The system must be able to achieve temperature control in the range of 15°C-60°C or broader (<15°C, >60°C) with the lights ON or OFF
1.6 The system must be able to operate in a cold room (at 5°C) and maintain temperature of 8°C inside the cold room with the lights ON or OFF
1.7 The system must include a turbidostat module with a pump for continuous cultivation
1.8 The turbidostat module must be able to maintain a user-defined optical density, monitored through OD680 or OD720 measurements
1.9 Illumination must be provided by LED lights that can provide a mixture of multiple colors (405 nm, 450 nm, 475 nm, 530 nm, 615 nm, 66 nm, 730 nm) and white light
1.10 The illumination must be independently adjustable for each cultivation tube
1.11 Each multicultivator must be able to achieve a total light intensity of 2500 µmol m-2 s-2 or higher
1.12 Each multicultivator must include a protective cover for optical isolation from room light
1.13 Must include light radiation safety glasses
2. Small-capacity flat-panel photobioreactor (Stream 2)
2.1 Must have a volume capacity of at least 400 mls
2.2 Must have a flat rectangular panel cultivation vessel
2.3 The cultivation vessel must allow for aeration and the system must include an air pump
2.4 The system must include an aeration interruption valve to stop bubbling during measurements
2.5 The cultivation vessel must allow for humidification of incoming air
2.6 The vessel must allow for liquid sampling while maintaining sterile culture conditions
2.7 The system must be able to achieve temperature control in the range of 5°C-75°C or broader (< 5°C, >75°C) with the lights ON or OFF
2.8 Illumination must be provided by a bi-color LED fixtures with white and blue spectrum, and each color must be controlled separately
2.9 Must be able to achieve a total light intensity of 1500 µmol m-2 s-2 or higher
2.10 Must include an external magnetic stirrer for culture mixing, with adjustable rotation speed from 10-100% at a maximum speed of at least 600 rpm
2.11 The system must include a turbidostat module with a pump for continuous cultivation
2.12 The turbidostat module must be able to maintain a user-defined optical density, monitored through OD680 or OD720 measurements
2.13 Must include a gas mixing system that can supply CO2 gas at a rate up to 10 LPM
2.14 Must be able to monitor chlorophyll-a fluorescence
2.15 Must include a sensor to monitor culture pH in the range of 0-12
2.16 Must include a sensor to monitor culture temperature in the range of 0°-100°C
2.17 Must include a sensor to monitor dissolved O2 levels with a measurement range of 0-60% O2 saturation
3. Large-capacity flat-panel photobioreactor (Stream 3)
3.1 Must have a volume capacity of at least 25 L
3.2 Must have a flat rectangular panel cultivation vessel
3.3 The cultivation vessel must allow for aeration and the system must include an air pump
3.4 The system must include an aeration interruption valve to stop bubbling during measurements
3.5 The system must be able to achieve temperature control in the range of 15°C-50°C or broader (<15°C, >50°C) with the lights ON or OFF
3.6 Illumination must be provided by a bi-color LED fixtures with white and blue spectrum, and each color must be controlled separately
3.7 Must be able to achieve a total light intensity of 700 µmol m-2 s-2 or higher
3.8 Must include a gas mixing system that can supply air and CO2 gas at a rate up to 20 LPM
3.9 Must be able to monitor chlorophyll-a fluorescence
3.10 Must include a sensor to monitor culture pH in the range of 0-12
3.11 Must include a sensor to monitor culture temperature in the range of 0°-100°C
3.12 Must include a sensor to monitor dissolved O2 levels with a measurement range of 0-60% O2 saturation
4. Other Requirements (All Streams)
4.1 All cultivation vessel materials must have a procedure for vessel sterilization and maintenance of long-term culture sterile growth
4.2 The lights in all systems must be dimmable
4.3 All systems must allow for user-programmable light/dark cycles that’s in a range from hours to days
4.4 All systems must be able to measure optical density at 680 nm and 720 nm
4.5 All systems must include a 1-year standard manufacturer’s warranty
4.6 All systems must include a dedicated PC and computer software for photobioreactor control, data collection and visualization
4.7 All systems must either have CSA approval or an equivalent certification. Alternatively, the system must be certified by a third party to meet CSA standards before delivery to the University.
4.8 Installation, and on-site training must be included.
