Hardware

Accomplishment Introduction Device design Bioreactor Nutrient tank Materials required

Accomplishment

Built and characterized a functional prototype for carbon utilization system in industry sector.
Created an instructional video, a manual and lists of materials.
Implemented Bio-safety to our device.
Integrated with modeling.
Installation of sensors: pH Meter, Thermometer, CO₂ Sensor and Wi-Fi Sensor.

Introduction

Nearly 40% of CO₂ emissions are attributable to industries. The goal of our project is to solve the CO₂ problem by using engineered E. coli to fix carbon dioxide emitted from industries and convert it into bio-product, pyruvate. To accomplish our goal, we designed a device that will upscale our project to be used on field and we aim to integrate the device into industrial IGCC system. And we used the Arduino to sense the pH, CO₂ concentration and temperature then use the wi-fi sensor to upload to the database. Last but not least, we can monitor the data by our app.

Device design

Our device consists of 4 main parts: a bioreactor, a nutrient tank, a collection tank and Arduino.The flue gas contains high concentration of CO₂ and this will inhibit the growth of E.coli. Thus, we reduce CO₂ concentration level to less than 5% before entering the bioreactor by using flowmeter, which is an instrument for measuring the flow of gases in pipelines.

For Arduino, we use thermometer(DS18B20)、pH meter and CO₂ sensor(MG811) to monitor our device. Besides, we use LCD to print datum and use Wi-Fi sensor(ESP8266 Nodemcu) to upload our records to database as well. (You can see more information about Arduino code in software.)

Bioreactor

We developed a closed bioreactor system and implemented online monitoring system which can live monitoring several environmental parameters. Here is the detail of our bioreactor.

Gas inlet port are located on the bioreactor’s lower part while outlet port are located on the bioreactor’s upper lid. As low concentration CO₂ enters the bioreactor, it flows through the diffuser refiner and dissolves in the buffered medium to form acid. A pH sensor and a thermometer is installed to monitor the bioreactor tank for further control implementation. Besides, the CO₂ concentration level of exhaust gas is monitored by a CO₂ gas sensor, which is mounted on the upper lid. These sensor’s output is connected to an Arduino analog input and sensor readings are displayed on a serial LCD which is attached on the lid of bioreactor. The data is then uploaded in real time to a web server via WiFi by using Arduino WiFi Shield.

Stirrer

To prevent sedimentation of cells at the bottom of bioreactor, we build our own 3D printed slow speed magnetic stirrer which permits gentle mixing of microcarrier cell cultures. The 3D printed magnet bed is designed specifically for two magnets and can be fitted on the DC motor. The stirrer works by using a DC motor to spin two magnets with opposite polarity, which could create a magnetic field in the bioreactor and cause the stir bar to spin and mix the contents. For controlling the speed of the DC motor, we use Arduino and L298N to control the input voltage to the motor by using PWM signal.

Nutrient tank

Besides, we also implemented fed-batch culture system in our design. Nutrients are fed to the bioreactor during cultivation to prevent nutrient depletion. The nutrients are pumped into the growth chamber at a rate proportional to the growth factor of the culture, which is determined experimentally through the doubling time of the particular bacterial strain.

Materials required

Acrylic Sheet
Arduino UNO
Power Supply
Batteries
Rotameter
pH meter
Thermometer(DS18B20)
CO₂ sensor(MG811)
Wi-fi sensor(ESP8266 NodeMcu)
Geared DC Motor
Tubes
Magnets
3D Printed Structure
Nuts and Screws
Wires
Pumps