The Simplest Open Source Photobioreactor Designed for Desktop and Personal Use and Decor

This is the SOS_PBR, or simply, the "Simplest Open Source Photobioreactor" I know the acronym is weird but I still like it, so it stays. Now as the name claims, this is actually the simplest active photobioreactor design made while specifically considering the aesthetics to make it presentable and a suitable companion for your study or work desk.

I have used the following components in making this Photobioreactor.

1. 120mm D x 240mm H x 3mm T Acrylic Cylinder
2. 120mm D x 3mm H Acrylic Cylinder
3. Check Valve
4. 6V DC Mini Air-Pump
5. Silicon Tube for Air-Flow
6. Silicone Sealant
7. 5V 1W LED's
8. AC to 12V 5A DC Power Supply
9. LM2596S DC-DC Buck Converter

I have been researching about Photobioreactors for a while now and in an attempt to make one of my own I looked up some existing DIY photobioreactor designs available on the web.

But all of these designs had a major problem. All of these were extremely difficult to recreate, especially for somebody who was trying to make one for the first time.

Most existing designs used custom PCB's, multiple sensors, complex coding requirements, climate control components etc. This created a barrier to entry for majority of enthusiasts who want to make a small household photobioreactor of their own.

Hence I decided to make a No Microcontroller No Code design, suitable for everybody, even with no practical experience with electronics.

Even after eliminating the sensors and microcontrollers the design is extremely functional and has options for manual controls over multiple areas.

I could have definitely implemented a lot more features in the design, but that would be at the cost of complexity and a barrier to entry for hobbyists. I plan to introduce more complex designs with added features over time. But this design is intended for mass adoption.

I have chosen the Scenedesmus algae for this Photobioreactor. I had already grown a culture of 2 Liters of Scenedesmus for around 4-5 days, you can however introduce a fresh batch directly in the photobioreactor as it is intended for the same.

More about Scenedesmus :

Scenedesmus is a genus of green algae, in the class Chlorophyceae. They are colonial and non-motile. They are one of the most common components of phytoplankton in freshwater habitats worldwide.

The design of version 1 Photobioreactor has been kept intentionally simple to be printable without support material. A slight curve was introduced on the base profile to make it a little presentable as a desk version. I have used Fusion 360 to design this Photobioreactor, however you can use any design software of your choice. The base encloses and firmly keeps the acrylic container. I have introduced an inlet from the base for the air pump to continuously agitate the algae and infuse air in the substrate to help the algae growth.

I 3D Printed the base compartment of the Photobioreactor to house all the electronic components securely and hold our acrylic cylindrical container firmly. This design has been 3D printed on a Bambu Lab A1 3D printed but you can use any FDM 3d printer of your choice, the files have been attached !

Next I assembled all the electronic components inside the enclosure while securing the container for Algae over it in the designated slot.

It is essential to clean the insides of our cylindrical acrylic container before introducing our algae inside it. Hence I have used some ISO Propyl alcohol on a tissue paper to properly sanitize the insides of the acrylic cylinder.

And finally here is the complete photobioreactor, a simple and easy to reproduce design intended for indoor use to grow algae of your choice, parameters such as number of LED lights, air pump flow etc can be controlled based on the requirements for different species of Algae.