Engineering an alge co2 scrubber

[deleted-302142]

Hi, this is my 1st post and I need help.

I am planning to build my own co2 scrubber but I can't find any serious step by step instructions. Here is what I need to know:

1.) How to build an inexpensive yet working co2 alge scrubber that takes co2 out of the air and replaces it w/ oxygen?
2.) How can I monitor the amount of co2 that goes in and the amount of oxygen that comes out?
3.) What are the basics of this process?

Ok, well that's what I need so far so.. Any one who can answer please do!

Sincerely, GraceKiwi

[deleted-302142]

Is anyone here? Could some one help me? Please?

[deleted-249560]

There isn't a project on this site, but this one over on Instructables (http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple- ... er-Part-1/) does have some detailed instructions. Is this what you had in mind or something else?

Detecting the amount of O2 or CO2 in the sample will require using an electronic meter or some experimental method. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQNl2EdteDE is a YouTube video that explains how to use the oxygen in a sample to rust a piece of steel wool. As the oxygen is used up, it gets replaced by water that you can easily see. I didn't find any inexpensive solutions for measuring CO2, but that's a gas that's often measured with an electronic meter. They are available through internet sources for a few hundred dollars. If you find a manufacturer and ask, you might find one that would loan one to you in the name of science.

Good luck with the project. It sounds like fun!

Howard

[deleted-302142]

Dear Howard,

Thank you for your help, it was very much appreciated! I figured out a system that would work for me, but I seem to have trouble attaching it to this forum. How do I correctly attach pictures to a post?

[deleted-2131]

Hi GraceKiwi,

When you make a post you should see a set of "Options" beneath the "Save Draft", "Preview", and "Submit" buttons. Next to "Options" it says "Attachments". You should be able to click the "Add files" button and upload the file you want to share. There's probably a maximum file size that you can attach. If you still can't attach the file you want to share, you can send an email to [email protected] with the file, and they will probably be able to help you.

[deleted-302142]

Hello!

I need help figuring out what my independent and dependent variables are. Here is what I have so far and I think they could be:

Hypothesis: If the algae bioreactor is able to efficiently filter co2 from the air, then when it is powered with solar panels, it can successfully complete the same task reducing more co2 than plugging it in to a wall. {This may be too long, is it?}
Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to determine if a solar powered Co2 algae air scrubber produces less carbon dioxide than it replaces with oxygen compared to plugging it in a wall socket. {Please edit my purpose if it doesn't make sense}
Independent: Power source (Solar OR House electricity grid)
Dependent: Quantity of Co2 intake and Oxygen output {Are these reliable variables?}
Control: None {Could there be one? And what would it be?}
Extraneous: Algae doesn't cooperate, solar panels don't work, containers leak, temp. kills algae, and ect. {Are there any you can think of?}

That's it for now, if you get to it please review!
-GraceKiwi

[deleted-302142]

Hi again!

As you may know I need algae for the experiment. I have narrowed it down to 2 types that would be applicable to the way I need to use it. They are, Blue-green algae and Cyano-bacteria. Would they work well?

[deleted-249560]

Hi GraceKiwi. Your last comment made the thread pop up again and I just saw your message from several days ago. I'll let someone more familiar with specific algae and bacteria help you narrow down your choice.

Your hypothesis is that running a scrubber from solar power (to power fans??) will remove more CO2 from the air than if you power it from the wall? The fans won't care where the power comes from. Two identical scrubbers - one using solar power and one using wall power should work exactly the same way. Your question then becomes "how much power is needed to remove X amount of CO2 from the air? If I use wall power to run the scrubber, how much CO2 will that power plant have used to make my power?" Considering that photosynthesis only happens during the day, you need to have the scrubber in sunlight anyway, I can't see any upside to powering a biomaterial scrubber from wall power.

If the biomaterial choice isn't clear, maybe that could be the focus of your hypothesis. Is bacteria a more efficient scrubber than algae? Your dependent variable sounds right for any variation of this, and your controls would in fact be things like the design of the two test scrubbers and *anything* other than the biomaterial OR the power source, whichever you decide to test.

Hopefully one of the biologists will jump in and discuss the pros/cons of your algae and bacteria choices. I would be concerned about temperature for sure. You don't want to give your device bright sunlight and end up killing your scrubber.

Howard

[deleted-302142]

* I figured out that they are the same thing, but I need to find a place that could sell Cyanobacteria algae to me.
Where is it sold? *

[deleted-249560]

Carolina Biological and Ward's are two places you could try. I found these:

http://www.carolina.com/cyanobacteria/c ... _151710.pr

https://www.wardsci.com/store/catalog/p ... ber=863000

The biologists here might have other suggestions.

You might try calling them during business hours, explain what you want and how much you need and see what they can do for you. Be careful about following the handling procedures - both sites make it clear that you should not just dump these down the drain and release them in the wild.

Howard

[deleted-302142]

Dear Howard,
Thank you for looking into that. I viewed the sites and they did help. I noticed how the Cyanobacteria Cultures website had multiple types of the bacteria being sold in comparison to a sample of a mixture of them on the other site. I feel that 1 quantifiable species would do but I need to know, out of the bunch, which type produces the most oxygen?

Thanks for all of the help!

[deleted-249560]

If you keep the power source and other potential variables as constants, then that's one thing you could test. It might get expensive and unwieldy to try and make more than two identical scrubbers though. If no one here has any specific suggestions for one species, ask the suppliers for suggestions. There's a good chance they know the answer to that.

Howard

[deleted-302142]

I have 1 more question for the day, Where can I find a reasonably priced 8 Watt solar panel that can be used indoor and out door?

[deleted-249560]

I'm seeing Coleman branded panels on a lot of sites.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/COLEMAN- ... Id=3797220 (the same page offers panels in different sizes and the 10W panel was $30)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006FW ... 8QF7Z8HFP9
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/produc ... _vc=-10005

There are quite a few offerings in the 10W range and if you by from a reputable retailer that will take it back if it's junky, any of them will probably do fine. All of the 10W panels I'm seeing claim to be weatherproof. I suspect they're all also going to be 12V panels. If you need something other than 12V you'll have to dig a little or make your own out of smaller ones.

Howard