Pattern light simulation and sensing automation of flat plate photobioreactor for sustainable growth and cultivation of Microalgae

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1 Introduction
• 1.1 Statement of Problem
• 1.2 Thesis Objectives
• 2 Literature Review of Microalgae
• 2.1 What are Microalgae?
• 2.2 What does Microalgae contain?
• 2.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of Microalgae Cultivation
• 2.4 Commercial History of Microalgae
• 2.5 Production techniques of Microalgae
• 2.5.1 Open-Systems
• 2.5.2 Closed-Systems
• 2.5.2.1 Tubular PBRs
• 2.5.2.2 Horizontal Tubular PBRs
• 2.5.2.3 Vertical Tubular PBRs
• 2.5.2.4 Flat Plate Reactor
• 2.6 Comparison between Open-Systems and Closed-Systems
• 2.6.1 Economic confrontation
• 2.7 Net Energy Ratio (NER)
• 2.8 Commercialization of Microalgae
• 2.9 Future trends of Microalgae
• 3 Literature Review of Automation, Control System and Sensor Technology
• 3.1 Automation
• 3.2 Historical Background of Automation
• 3.3 Control System
• 3.4 Automatic Control System
• 3.5 Mathematical Modeling of Control Systems
• 3.5.1 Unit-Step Response of First-Order System
• 3.5.2 Unit-Ramp Response of First-Order System
• 3.5.3 Unit-Impulse Response of First-Order System
• 3.6 On-Off Control Action
• 3.7 Sensor Technology
• 4 Materials and Methods
• 4.1 Variables affecting microalgae cultivation
• 4.1.1 Temperature
• 4.1.2 Light
• 4.1.3 pH
• 4.2 Flat Plate Photobioreactor at Water Research Center for Latin America & Caribbean at ITESM Monterrey
• 4.3 Selected Sensors and Components for Monitoring & Control System
• 4.3.1 PAR-Sensor
• 4.3.2 pH Sensor
• 4.3.3 Stainless Steel Temperature Probe
• 4.3.4 SensorDAQ
• 4.3.5 Precision Mass Flow Controller
• 4.3.6 Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID)
• 4.4 Development of Monitoring and Control System for Flat Plate Photobioreactor with LabVIEW
• 4.4.1 Stage 1: Sensor testing with LabVIEW
• 4.4.2 Stage 2: Control cabinet installation with components and Sensors on PBR
• 4.4.3 Stage 3: Human Machine Interface (HMI) development for Monitoring and Control System with LabVIEW
• 5 Tests and Results

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

The main objective of this research was to develop an automated system for monitoring and controlling specific growth conditions in order to improve the microalgae biomass production process. This involved designing and installing a control cabinet, selecting components, installing sensors, and programming software in LabVIEW.

• Automation of microalgae cultivation
• Optimization of growth conditions (temperature, light, pH)
• Development of a monitoring and control system using LabVIEW
• Enhancement of microalgae biomass production
• Cost reduction in microalgae production

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the increasing interest in microalgae as a sustainable feedstock for biofuel production and other applications due to concerns about climate change. It highlights the challenges of microalgae cultivation, such as high energy needs and manual labor, and emphasizes the importance of developing an automated system to improve efficiency and profitability. The chapter outlines the project's objectives: to create a user-friendly monitoring and control system for a flat plate photobioreactor, focusing on essential environmental growth parameters.

2 Literature Review of Microalgae: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of microalgae, including their characteristics, composition, cultivation methods (open and closed systems), and commercial applications. It explores the advantages and disadvantages of different cultivation techniques, such as open ponds and photobioreactors (PBRs), comparing their economic viability and energy efficiency. The chapter also delves into the commercial history of microalgae and future trends, highlighting the potential for microalgae to contribute to a more sustainable energy future. The discussion includes specific details on the types of photobioreactors used, their design features, and their effectiveness in microalgae cultivation.

3 Literature Review of Automation, Control System and Sensor Technology: This chapter offers a review of automation, control systems, and sensor technology, providing the theoretical foundation for the design and implementation of the automated monitoring and control system. It begins by defining automation and discussing its historical development. Then, it delves into the principles of control systems, contrasting open-loop and closed-loop systems and explaining the importance of feedback mechanisms. The chapter further explores mathematical modeling techniques used for control systems, including unit-step, unit-ramp, and unit-impulse responses for first-order systems. The review also covers sensor technology and the role of sensors in data acquisition and control processes.

4 Materials and Methods: This chapter details the materials and methods used in the research. It describes the variables affecting microalgae cultivation (temperature, light, pH) and their optimal ranges. The chapter provides a thorough description of the flat plate photobioreactor used in the study, including its dimensions and design. It further details the selection and specifications of the sensors and components used in the monitoring and control system, including the PAR sensor, pH sensor, temperature probe, SensorDAQ, and precision mass flow controller. The chapter culminates in a description of the development of the monitoring and control system using LabVIEW, outlining the steps involved in sensor testing, control cabinet installation, and the creation of the Human-Machine Interface (HMI).

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Microalgae, Photobioreactors, Automation, Control Systems, Sensor Technology, LabVIEW programming, Sustainable cultivation, Biomass production, Data Acquisition, Process control, CO2 control, pH control, Temperature control, Renewable energy.

Frequently Asked Questions: Automated Monitoring and Control System for Microalgae Cultivation

What is the main objective of this research?

The primary goal is to develop an automated system for monitoring and controlling the growth conditions of microalgae to enhance biomass production. This involves designing and installing a control cabinet, selecting appropriate components and sensors, and programming a user-friendly software interface in LabVIEW.

What are the key themes explored in this research?

The research focuses on the automation of microalgae cultivation, optimization of growth conditions (temperature, light, pH), development of a monitoring and control system using LabVIEW, enhancement of microalgae biomass production, and cost reduction in microalgae production.

What are the different chapters covered in the research?

The research is structured into five chapters. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the problem and objectives. Chapter 2 reviews the literature on microalgae cultivation, including different cultivation techniques and their economic viability. Chapter 3 reviews the literature on automation, control systems, and sensor technology. Chapter 4 details the materials and methods used in the study, including the specific sensors and equipment. Chapter 5 presents the results of the implemented system.

What types of microalgae cultivation systems are discussed?

The research discusses both open and closed systems for microalgae cultivation. Closed systems, specifically photobioreactors (PBRs) such as tubular PBRs (horizontal and vertical) and flat plate reactors, are examined in detail, comparing their advantages and disadvantages to open systems.

What specific sensors and components were used in the monitoring and control system?

The system utilizes a PAR sensor for measuring photosynthetically active radiation, a pH sensor for monitoring pH levels, a stainless steel temperature probe for temperature monitoring, a SensorDAQ for data acquisition, a precision mass flow controller, and a control cabinet. A Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) is also included.

What software was used to develop the monitoring and control system?

The research employed LabVIEW for developing the monitoring and control system, including sensor testing, control cabinet integration, and the creation of the Human-Machine Interface (HMI).

What are the key variables affecting microalgae cultivation that were addressed?

The research focuses on controlling three key variables affecting microalgae growth: temperature, light intensity (PAR), and pH.

What type of photobioreactor was used in this study?

The study utilized a flat plate photobioreactor located at the Water Research Center for Latin America & Caribbean at ITESM Monterrey.

What are the advantages of automating microalgae cultivation?

Automating the process aims to improve the efficiency and profitability of microalgae production by optimizing growth conditions, reducing manual labor, and potentially lowering production costs.

What are the future trends in microalgae cultivation discussed in the research?

The research touches upon the future potential of microalgae as a sustainable source for biofuel and other applications, highlighting ongoing advancements and challenges in commercialization.