Inside Our Technology: Key Components Explained

For optimal performance, we utilize variant 1 of Recutherm’s waste heat recovery unit (shown above). This unit is specifically engineered to handle flue gasses (via pipe or channel) at temperatures up to 450°C. Each unit is equipped with its own specially programmed control software, developed by Recutherm, ensuring high reliability and effortless configuration.

At Airbiotics, we understand that each customer has unique needs. In applying these waste heat recovery systems with customizability in mind, we ensure that every solution is tailored to fit the specific requirements of our clients. This approach guarantees maximum efficiency and integration within your facility, and reduces energy costs and environmental impact.

Solar panels

Here at Airbiotics, we take energy efficiency to the next level by integrating solar panels into the outer structures of our units. By incorporating photovoltaic cells into the exterior, we significantly increase the surface area available for solar energy capture. This design innovation allows our systems to generate more electricity from the same footprint, optimizing the use of available space.

Internet of Things (IoT) & Sensing devices

At Airbiotics, we harness the power of the Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced sensing devices to ensure our systems operate at peak efficiency. Within our photobioreactor chambers, IoT-enabled sensors continuously monitor critical abiotic factors such as temperature, pH, and light conditions in real-time. This constant monitoring is crucial for maintaining optimal conditions for the microbes, ensuring that the system functions at its highest efficiency. IoT allows for immediate detection of any deviations from the desired parameters. For instance, sensors can quickly identify if a nutrient or substrate level is low, providing instant feedback to the system. This ensures that corrective actions can be taken without delay, preventing any decline in performance and guaranteeing that every aspect of the system contributes to your overall efficiency and sustainability goals. (Check out this source for more information on IoT).

Closed Photobioreactor & Artificial light

In response to the challenges posed by cyanobacteria and the lack of light in underground environments, we are implementing a closed photobioreactor with artificial lighting, following the technology described in this paper, by Michele Carone and colleagues. This system offers precise control over operating conditions, enabling industrial-scale microalgae cultivation with higher biomass productivity and quality. The enclosed space limits contamination, ensuring a superior biomass yield. We will be utilizing an existing prototype of a novel alveolar flat panel photobioreactor, scaling it up for industrial use. This advanced design features a pump-assisted hydraulic circuit with a positive-pressurized serpentine flow. 

The system comprises two main interconnected units: a photostage loop and a mixing tank. The photostage loop includes two parallel flat panels illuminated by fluorescent lamps, providing consistent and adequate light. The mixing tank, equipped with three factory-defined flow rates and constant performance curves, ensures thorough mixing and aeration of the culture medium. This photobioreactor has been tested on a small scale with Acutodesmus obliquus, demonstrating robust growth and high biomass productivity under controlled conditions (Michele Carone et al.). By scaling up this advanced photobioreactor, we are confident that it will efficiently utilize CO2, enhancing biomass production and quality in confined and underground spaces, presenting an efficient solution for various industrial applications. 

Separation of input and output gasses

To achieve effective separation of input and output gasses, a combination of gas separation technologies efficiently separates each component for directed processing in the designated microbe chambers. Integrating a Thermo Fisher MAX-iR FTIR Gas Analyzer into the filtration system allows for real-time monitoring and precise control of gas flow through filtration stages. This ensures gasses are thoroughly purified before reaching microbial chambers, optimizing conditions for microbial activity and enhancing overall process efficiency.