Multivariable And Sensor Feedback Based Real-Time Monitoring And Control Of Microalgae Production System

Abstract

A multi-wavelength laser diode based optical sensor was designed, developed and evaluated for monitoring and control microalgae growth in real-time. The sensor measures optical density of microalgae suspension at three wavelengths: 650 nm, 685 nm and 780 nm, which are commonly used for estimating microalgae biomass concentration and chlorophyll content. The sensor showed capability of measuring cell concentration up to 1.05 g L⁻¹ without sample dilution or preparation. The performance of the sensor was evaluated using both indoor photobioreactors and outdoor paddle wheel reactors. It was shown that the sensor was capable of monitoring the dynamics of the microalgae culture in real-time with high accuracy and durability. Specific growth rate (μ) and ratios of optical densities (OD ratios) at different wavelengths were calculated and were used as good indicators of the health of microalgae culture. A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate the sensor's capability of detecting environmental disturbances in microalgae systems, for instance, induced by dust or Vampirovibrio chlorellavorus, a bacteria found to cause crash of microalgae culture. Optical densities measured from the sensor were insensitive to the amount of dust that consisted of 59.7% of dry weight of microalgae in the system. However, the sensor was able to detect multiple events of introduction of dust timely by μ and OD ratios. The sensor was also capable of detecting subtle changes of culture in color that leads to a total crash of the culture before it can be differentiated by naked eye. The sensor was further integrated into an existing outdoor raceway to demonstrate the sensor's potential of being a core component to control microalgae production system. A real-time monitoring and control program along with a graphical user interface (GUI) was developed for a central control station aiming at improving resource use efficiency for biomass production.