Background
The Challenge:
1.1 Need more optical energy
Accoeding our research, the culture of Rhodobactor Sphaeroides need more optical energy, which the light baffle can’t meet.
1.2 Lack of available Model
Through extensive market research, we have found that photo-reactors on the market are mainly targeted for the cultivation of algae, and are all air-lift reactors. Taking into account that there are numerous differences between the culture of algae and bacteria, meanwhile it is difficult to put a built-in light device in the airlift reactor, we finally decided to adapt the existing mechanical stirring reactor.
So we design a new photo-bioreactor !
Product
2.1 Main idea of designing
The shell uses plexiglass material, to ensure its smoothness and being waterproof at the same time, LED lights are embedded inside.
The upper part of it uses 12-way 5V brush device, place the rotation of the lights with the line winding together.
2.2 Assembly details
Many components are designed to fix our agitator on the bioreactor. We show them both in model of CAD and 3D model with specific data.
Number | Components |
---|---|
1 | Collet |
2 | Adapter ring |
3 | Blade |
4 | Casket |
5 | Gland |
6 | Bush of main axle |
7 | Assembly program |
Internal diameter of Bioreactor:278mm
Height of Bioreactor:660mm
Diameter of agitator:26mm
Height of agitator:555mm
2.3 Product in reality
Result
3.1 flow field simulation
The flow field of the whole device is simulated by the principle of fluid mechanics, and the flow field distribution in the unidirectional flow model is good and has good stirring performance. Comparing the addition of the built-in light source into the reactor with the original reactor, we found during that the same amount of time the volume of light cover greatly increased, which helps the improvement of the efficiency of the Rhodobacter Sphaeroides.