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Manufacture of a large-sized flat panel airlift photobioreactor (FPA PBR) case with characteristic shapes using a thermoforming process

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Abstract

The objective of this paper is to manufacture a large-sized Flat panel airlift photobioreactor (FPA PBR) case with characteristic shape using thermoforming process. Two distinguished characteristic shapes, including a blade and a stiffener, are designed to improve mixing characteristics and light utilization of the FPA PBR case. Structural analyses are carried out to obtain a proper design of the large-sized FPA PBR case. The design of the thermoforming mould is created using the proper design of the FPA PBR case. Proper conditions of the thermoforming process are estimated via a thermoforming analysis. The desired FPA PBR case with characteristic shapes is fabricated via thermoforming and bonding processes. Through durability and culture experiments, the applicability and the efficiency of the fabricated FPA PBR case have been investigated. From the results of the experiments, it has been shown that the designed FPA PBR case can significantly improve the productivity of the microalgae and the efficiency of the FPA PBR case.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chosun University, Gwang-Ju, 501-759, Korea

    Ho-Jin Lee & Dong-Gyu Ahn

Authors
  1. Ho-Jin Lee
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  2. Dong-Gyu Ahn
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Correspondence to Dong-Gyu Ahn.

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Recommended by Guest Editor Sangho Park

Ho-Jin Lee received his B.S. degree from Chosun University, Korea in 2012. He then received M.S. degree from Chosun University, Korea in 2014. Mr. Lee’s research interests include metal & plastic forming processes, molds & die and development & application of 3D printing technology.

Dong-Gyu Ahn received his B.S. degree from Busan National University, Korea in 1992. He then received M.S. and Ph.D. degree from KAIST, Korea in 1994 and 2002, respectively. Dr. Ahn is currently a professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chosun Univercity in Gwang-Ju, Korea. Dr. Ahn’s research interests include development & application of 3D printing technology, rapid manufacturing, lightweight sandwich plate, and molds & die.

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Lee, HJ., Ahn, DG. Manufacture of a large-sized flat panel airlift photobioreactor (FPA PBR) case with characteristic shapes using a thermoforming process. J Mech Sci Technol 29, 5099–5105 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-015-1107-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-015-1107-9

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