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PRODUCTS - HYDROALG The hydrogen photobioreactor (Project Hydroalg - Development of Hydrogen Gas Producing Photobioreactor as Renewable and Alternative Energy Source, 2006-2007.; P 07 00647 Patent Pending) Recently the researchers of the University of Columbia and NREL achieved a breakthrough in the research of the methodology of hydrogen production with algae. The invention of the molecular switch was the breakthrough. This is a method, through which the photosynthetic device of cells can be switched off and cells can be forced to use their stored energy and produce hydrogen as a byproduct. Our photobioreactor called HYDROALG utilizes this invention. Our device is a revolutionary new photobioreactor that is specialized for energy production Currently used photobioreactors are unable to utilize and optimize entering light efficiently, since the intensity of light changes depending on the weather. Overly cold and too warm periods may even lead to the destruction of the biological material. Furthermore, the changes of light and temperature influence the growth and metabolism of algae, there may be large changes, amplitudes in the production of photobioreactors, thus optimal operation is not ensured. This is why it is difficult or impossible to plan nutrition inflow, metabolism product and biomass outflow in advance. Our device is an advanced photobioreactor that automatically regulates the optimal conditions for cultivation  Controls, valves, appliances (Hydroalg) Quantity, quality and costs are the main factors of the cultivation of microorganisms. We can produce the largest amount of high quality material, if we entirely customize the system according to the environment and nutrition demand of the given algae. This is typically an expensive task and the demands of only one species are realized at a time. Currently known photobioreactors can mainly be used indoors, in laboratories or in areas of balanced climate, during a short period of the year. Our device is the first universal photobioreactor, which is able to cultivate several species, and which has extended operational spectrum (both geographically and regarding time) Beside its energy producing function, the device is customizable; it can be adjusted to make it suitable for laboratory or outdoor examinations and cultivation tasks. It can be built at any size.  The hydrogen photobioreactor (Hydroalg) Operation, structure The 1.5 m2 surface of the main unit contains 10 glass cultivation tubes. Shading lamellas can be found on both sides and on the top of the main unit. These are used for cooling when the device turns to the side and in the case of high sun positions. Embedded pump and air manifolds can be found on the bottom of every glass tube. The system of pipes leading to these can be controlled by valves. With the closing of valves, every tube can be separated or two cultivation cycles can be made. A flow-through system modular electronic measurement unit can be found on the intake side of the pump. It is able to measure temperature and turbidimetry. The pair of the measurement unit can be found on the outflow side of the pump, next to the intake manifold, which monitors gas composition (O2, CO2, H2) and liquid level. The system is controlled by a central electronic control unit (ECU). The software calculates the current position of the sun, based on the entered coordinates, and turns the main unit towards it. Data from the sensors of the measurement units arrive here as well. The software monitors these simultaneously and actively interferes to create the optimal conditions for cultivation according to the entered cultivation program for the given species. Following the filling and the selection of the cultivation program, automatic operation starts and the device can be left alone. The device can be remotely controlled and it can also be operated using the control panel. Commands can be given through the GUI area of a PC-compatible computer to set the control, modification and to select the appropriate program. The values measured by the sensors can also be monitored here. The software of the PC end uses a database, where the parameters of the given cultivation programs can be uploaded freely. This way, the whole process can be automated. If data is not available, the program can be optimized with the monitoring of the values of the sensors during a test operation. The control panel sends alerts of critical events. If the device is installed in an area with warm/cold climate, where mechanic compensation is not enough, optional heating/cooling can be used. A heating/cooling unit can be placed in front of the intake manifold of the pump. Temperature can be controlled using renewable sources, with pit technology. We sink the necessary temperature exchanger to the ground, where constant temperature can be provided.   Hydrogen pearls Future Plans Based on our experiences we would like to extend our researches and developments in two ways: Helping to spread bioreactors we would like to develop a new method of cost effective pre-breeding of algae. As a second promising task of great importance we are working on a special enzymatic membranreactor.  Laboratory reactors   Chlamydomonas algae PRODUCTS - EMU E.M.U. (Electrical Measurement Unit) Modular, multi-sensor laboratory measurement instrument Today, biotechnology plays a greater and greater role and it is developing fast. It has become a new business branch. The time and money spent on taking and analyzing samples, and on the evaluation of results is essential for the competing research laboratories. This means that such instruments are needed, which allow fast and cost-efficient measurement, and the results of which can be processed in a simple way, with the tools of modern information technology. In the future, such institutions and laboratories interested in biotechnological research and development will be successful in business life, which base their operations on conducting activities using the most modern, but still affordable devices. During the development of EMU, our aim was to build an Electrical Measurement Unit, which is able to receive, store and process the measurement data of different attached sensors and sensor clusters. Due to its modular structure, its ability to communicate with a personal computer, and the wide range of utilization possibilities, it is suitable to assist in a variety of biotechnological researches. We achieved high speed and reliability by using CAN architecture, which has proven its capabilities in the auto industry. The central unit of the system is able to accept the sensors of external manufacturers in a modular way and integrate them to a common platform and place their data to a joint database. Areas of utilization: Biotechnology  Lab reactors with EMU and special RGB LED reflector Industry Toxic gases and environmental effects that are harmful for humans, like high temperature, pressure, chemicals, radiation etc. may be produced during any industrial production process. The continuous monitoring of these conditions is essential for work security. Beside this, EMU can be especially effective in the tracking of certain chemical industrial processes and during the analysis of samples. Agriculture In agriculture, keeping track of environmental factors (sunlight, humidity, temperature, etc.) and their analysis is essential for crop planning, yield estimation as well as the for the forecast of pests and causative agents. With the help of EMU, all of these factors can be measured at the same time, and the results can be stored and analyzed. Protection of the environment and nature The monitoring of living waters is among the daily tasks of limnology experts and biologists. Currently, this activity is preceded by a long process of taking and preparing samples. The outdoor version of EMU may be suitable to establish fixed measurement points in areas under biological and ecological monitoring, which are able to measure and store the most important parameters of water quality and air pollution every day of the year, under any circumstance. With the remote management option, by setting alert levels, the device is able to send messages to remote areas (Eg. to research centers) when the monitored environmental parameters exceed a marginal value. The characteristics of EMU: Future Plans Extending the use of EMU we develop a complex watching-supervising-controlling system which consists of settled, permanent and mobile measuring points, which will be able to observe water pollution, water level, noise pollution, soil pollution, soil stability (at dams), nano particles, air pollution, UV radiation etc. with almost unlimited scalability. Above this the flexible technical main network of the system - thanks to the weldless modularisation - will be able to receive all of the sensors in the industry which are available now, or which will be developed later after minimal integration work. |
