Specifications for Photobioreactor updated.docx

Specifications for Photobioreactor Background and objectives: The USDA ARS National Cold-Water Marine Aquaculture Center (NCWMAC) Shellfish Genetics lab is initiating an Eastern oyster selective breeding program. The act of selective breeding involves performing a minimum of 100 genetic crosses (spawns) in a hatchery, rearing the offspring of the crosses separately in closed seawater tanks through setting, deploying the offspring in the field for progeny tests, and calculating genetic parameters and breeding values based on measured phenotypes. Conditioning parents prior to spawn and rearing larvae through the setting and nursery stages requires a large amount of live, high-quality feed (phytoplankton).

Rationale for procurement: Traditional methods for algal culture in large-scale research and commercial shellfish hatcheries require several skilled staff and a lot of space for algae culture. The NCWMAC Shellfish Genetics lab is a small group (4 permanent staff) and has limited research space. Therefore, we need to invest in an efficient, automated, compact, algae production system to support our research goals and conserve valuable time and space. Plankton bioreactors reliably produce the same amount of algal feed in 30X less volume with reduced risk of contamination.

Minimum Specifications/Features:

· Small footprint (No larger than 5m x 3m x 3m)

· Average power consumption 5000 W, Maximum power consumption 7350 W

· 2500 L Working volume with 400 – 1000L daily algae harvest

· Options for batch or continuous operation

· Simple, biosecure inoculation

· Dual reactor to allow culture of two algal species simultaneously

· Automated stirring and addition of nutrients

· Automated Scale-up and harvest such that hands on time is less than 3 hrs per week

· Automated chemical CIP cycle to clean and sterilize unit between batches

· 0.1 um air, vent, and media filters

· Built-in 0.2ul pre-filter and UV sterilizer

· Autoclavable tubing, filters, and fittings

· Integrated temperature control

· Touchscreen controls

· Real-time graphing and data logging

· Remote access