Z160 Multi-Cultivator is designed for small scale cultivation of algae, bacteria or cyanobacteria. It consists of 8 test tubes, each holding up to ca. 85 ml of cultivated suspension. The test tubes are immersed in a thermostated waterbath. Each tube is illuminated by an array of warm white LEDs that can generate incident irradiance, which is independently adjustable up to 500 µmol(photon)/m²/s. Each test tube can be bubbled with gas. The gas is humidified and supplied to each test tube through a manually adjustable valve manifold.

The Z160 Multi-Cultivator  is supplied with a light controlling unit that supports user-defined dynamic illumination protocols, such as, flashing lights or day/night cycles.

Two optional accessories are available: Cooling Unit AC-88, which serves for the thermostated waterbath cooling below ambient levels, and the peristaltic pump for automatic waterbath refilling. An additional option also includes optical density measurements of the cultures for monitoring of thier growth rates.

The Z160 Multi-Cultivator allows testing of multiple organisms or multiple samples of the same organism under variable cultivation conditions with respect to light, culture medium and  gas supply or composition.

Key Features:

Specifications:

The Z150 Photobioreactor is used for precise phototrophic cultivation of algae and cyanobacteria. It features a unique combination of the cultivator and monitoring device. Light power and spectral composition as well as temperature and aeration gas composition can be set with high accuracy. In addition, cultivation conditions can be dynamically varied according to  user- defined protocol. Light, temperature, and gas composition can oscillate with various amplitudes and frequencies. The growth of the cultures is monitored by the integrated densitometer (OD 735, OD680). Chlorophyll content of the culture can also be monitored continuously by the difference of optical densities at 680 and 735 nm. The instantaneous physiological state of the culture is measured by the Photosystem II quantum yield Fv/Fm.

For cultivation of up to 8 different algal cultures please see the Z160 Multicultivator.

Click below to see the installation of 100L photobioreactors at Washington University in St. Louis, USA

Cultivation:

• Cultivation vessel capacity: 400 ml (Z150) standard,  1000 ml (Z150/1000),  larger volumes (25L, 100L) also available

25L photobioreactor

large scale photobioreactors (100L)

• Programmable light, temperature, gas, and medium regime. Time steps from milliseconds to hours.
• Both static and changeable temperature in the range of 18 – 50 °C (standard) or in the range of 0 – 70 °C (optional).
• Controlled flow and composition of the bubbling gas (optional).
• Magnetic stirring (optional).
• Bubble interruption during measurements – bubble interruption valve (optional).
• Bubble humidifier to keep the volume in the vessel stable (optional).
• Peristaltic pump for chemostat mode cultivation, i.e., preprogramed addition of chemical ie. acid or base to preset pH (optional).
• Peristaltic pump for Turbidostat mode cultivation – stabilization of the suspensions via optical density control (optional).

Schematic of device with external modules:

LED Lighting:

• Standard color versions :White, Red-blue (630 nm, 450 nm), White-red (630 nm), other colors and color combinations (optional).
• Both static and fluctuating light regime – day/night cycles, pulsing (max frequency 1ms) or sinus waves.
• Actinic light up to 1200 µmol(photon)/m2/s (standard).
• Light intensity upgrade from 1,800 – 2,500 µmol(photon)/m2/s; according to LED type and color (optional).
• Wide range of wavelengths from UV-A through VIS to NIR (optional).
• Additional light source to accommodate specific needs of different organisms. For instance, Infra Red (850 nm) light source for purple sulfur photosynthetic bacteria. (optional; various wavelengths available).

Monitoring:

• Integrated Double-Modulation Fluorometer with online measurement of chlorophyll  fluorescence parameters, such as Fo, Ft, Fm, Fm´, (Fm’-Ft)/Fm’, and others (standard).
• Integrated online optical density measurement (standard).
• O2 electrode to measure concentration of dissolved gases (optional).
• CO2 electrode to determine the dissolved CO2 concentration in the Photobioreactor medium (optional).
• pH monitoring (optional).
• Magnetic Stirrer (optional).
• High-precision Gas Mixing System ZGMS-150 (optional).

Other Features:

• User-friendly operation.
• Robust construction, thermal stability, long-life light source.
• PC interface.
• Remote control.

Control Software (optional):

• User defined protocols
• Data collection in real time.
• Data upload even when the experiment is running.
• Data visualization in graphs.
• Further processing of data sheets in Excel accessible format.
• Remote control of the experiment via internet.
• software control of up to 9 photobioreactors

Specifications:

• Fluorescence Parameters: Fo, Ft, Fm, Fm´, Fv/Fm other parameters can be calculated.
• Vessel Capacity: 400 ml, 1000 ml. 25 L, 100 L
• Precision Controlled Temperature: 18 °C – 50 °C.
• Cooling and Heating System: Two 200 W Peltier elements.
• Two Displays: For system control and actual temperature.
• Light Regime: Static or dynamic (sinus, triangle etc).
• Optical Density Measurement: Real time measurement of OD by two IR LEDs (735 nm, 680 nm).
• Detector Wavelength Range: PIN photodiode with 697nm -750 nm bandpass filters.
• Controlled Flow and Composition of the Bubbling Gas: Optional.
• Pumps: Up to 8 peristaltic pumps supported (optional),
• pH Probe: Optional.
• Bios: Upgradeable firmware.
• Communication Port: Serial – RS232.
• Material: Glass, stainless steel, silikon gasket.
• Size: 50 x 25 x 35 cm (for the standard 400ml unit).
• Weight: 15.5 kg (400ml unit).
• Electrical: 90-240 V.

References:

• Nedbal L et. al. (2008) Biotechnology and Bioengineering 100: 902-910
• Cerveny J and Nedbal L (2009) Journal of Biological Rhythms 24:295-303
• Cerveny J. et al. (2009): Eng. Life Sci., No. 3, 247-253
• Nedbal L. et al.(2010): J. Ind. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 37: 1319-1326

ZGMS-150 Gas Mixing System can produce precise mixtures of up to 4 different gasses.   This system was designed for use with Z150 Photobioreactor . The flows of the individual input gases are measured by thermal mass flow meters and adjusted by integrated mass flow controllers.

The ZGMS150 Gas Mixing System mass flow meters and controllers can operate gas flows ranging from few mL/min to tens of L/min. Typically, the controllers of ZGMS-150 operate in the lowest range 0-8 mln/min and in the highest range 0-2500 ml/min. ZGMS- 150 is typically used to control flow of air, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. Additional gases like nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, ammonia and others can also be added to simulate various technological mixtures or smokestack gasses.

Before the exit connector, the gas mixture is thoroughly homogenized. The input and output gas connectors are of Prestolok type allowing fast and secure connection to a variety of tubes.

One of ZGMS-150 control screens: