Design of panel photobioreactor integrated with buildings and investigation of this interaction in laboratory scale

One approach for minimizing global warming, which is related with the greenhouse gasses like CO2, is the improvement of sustainable and environmentally friendly buildings by using aesthetic bio-façade systems. Within these regard microalgae as potential tools to enhance the quality of atmosphere due to mitigating of CO2, and producing of O2 through photosynthesis could be beneficial through bio-façade systems. The aim of this study is to investigate the usage of microalgae production in photobioreactors as a potential bio-façade unit. Along with this concept, dilutions of microalgae medium (10%, 20%, 40%, 80%), recycling the cell separated medium several times, addition of CO2 enriched air (5% and 10%) in photobioreactor have been tested focusing on their effects on various key factors like biomass and photosynthetic activity. Chlorella vulgaris is selected as a model microalga due to its low doubling time and high biomass productivity. According to the results, up to 80% dilutions can support the production of the microalga, the cell separated medium is effective and 5% CO2 increases the yield of biomass. With the results from the first step experiments a photobioreactor integrated laboratory scale house unit has been constructed for the simulation of buildings. Interior air quality, changing of temperature, pH and amounts of CO2 - O2 was investigated. The results showed positive effects of the microalga in the measured variables related with its effect especially as a biofilter.