Photobioreactors
Precise Phototrophic Cultivation of Algae and Cyanobacteria
About...

Photobioreactors FMT 150 feature a combination of the bench-top cultivator and computer-controlled monitoring device. The product line comprises three instruments that differ in the cultivation vessel capacity - 400 ml, 1 and 3 l. All Photobioreactor models may be supplied with a number of useful accessories that facilitate to meet wide range of special experimental conditions.

Key Features

  • Cultivation of photoautotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms
  • Flat cultivation vessel with a short light path for an optimal illumination
  • Standard bi-color LED panel, optionally up to 4 illumination colors
  • Highly precise control of cultivation conditions (illumination, temperature, aeration, etc.)


  • Optical density (OD 680, OD 720) and Chlorophyll-a fluorescence monitoring
  • Variable cultivation strategies (batch, pH-stat, turbidostatic, anaerobic, etc.)
  • Compact design, easy handling
  • Online software control

Photobioreactors


Photobioreactors FMT 150 feature a combination of the bench-top cultivator and computer-controlled monitoring device. The product line comprises three instruments that differ in the cultivation vessel capacity - 400 ml, 1 and 3 l. All Photobioreactor models may be supplied with a number of useful accessories that facilitate to meet wide range of special experimental conditions.


Cultivation Vessel


  • Flat, rectangular glass cultivation vessel. The short light path ensures an optimal irradiance (24 mm (FMT 150/400), 61 mm (FMT 150/1000 and FMT 150/3000).
  • Different size: 400 ml, 1 l, 3 l.
  • Stainless steel bottom and lid. 3 big ports for sensors, 4 small Luer connectors for tubing (Ø 6/3 mm) (FMT 150/400 and FMT 150/1000); 4 big ports for sensors, 8 small Luer connectors for tubing (Ø 6/3 mm) (FMT 150/3000)
  • Identical optical path of 24 mm regardless of the vessel thickness due to the incorporated optical prism that reduces the optical path in the larger vessels.
  • Integrated aeration stainless steel U-tube with aeration holes (Ø 0.7 mm) + silicon connection.
  • Probe Caps: Stainless plugs that enable closing of unused probe opening in the Photobioreactor cuvette lid.
  • Humidifier for a moistening of the sparging air to avoid an increased medium evaporation from the cultivation.
  • Enhanced Vessel made from nickel-plated brass covered with ceramic layer that improves heat convection (optional).
  • Pipetting Insert to top connector: an additional inlet port placed into the sensor port (optional).
  • Autoclavable design.

Cultivation vessels - 400 ml and 3 lCultivation vessels - 400 ml and 3 l
Optical prismOptical prism
Pipetting InsertPipetting Insert


Thermoregulation


  • Temperature range (ambient temperature around 23 °C): 5 – 75 °C (FMT 150/400); 10 – 75 °C (FMT 150/1000 and FMT 150/3000).
  • 200 W Peltier element (FMT 150/400 and FMT 150/1000); 400 W Peltier (FMT 150/3000).


Illumination


  • LED technology.
  • Bi-color light panel with separately controllable channels.
  • Cool white-red or red-blue. Other color combination on request.
  • Total illumination intensity up to 1,500 µmol. m-2. s-1 (optionally up to 3,000 µmol. m-2. s-1 with the Light Upgrade).
  • Light path: 24 mm (FMT 150/400), 61 mm (FMT 150/1000 and FMT 150/3000).
  • Illumination is independently adjustable for light color in intensity, timing and modulation.
  • Constant light conditions or the alternation of various light and dark cycles.
  • The duration of the individual cycles: from seconds up to days.
  • The mode of the light cycles: constant, linear increase or decrease, sinusoid mode for simple imitation of diurnal rhythms. Moreover, java scripting is incorporated in the Photobioreactor Control Software (advanced version optional) for a creation of the advanced light protocols (for example automatic light intensity adjustment in dependence on the actual biomass concentration).
  • The additional External Light Panel(optional) to increase illumination intensity and homogeneity in the water column. Moreover, the panel may provide further two cultivation light colors that are separately controllable. The External Light Panel is offered in three versions: single color (E-1), single color with additional IR LEDs (E-2), and bicolor (E-3). NOTE: The External Light Panel can’t be used simultaneously with the Magnetic Stirrer.
  • Additional Protective Glasses: Radiation safety glasses protecting against excessive LED radiation – equipped with side cover and protective filters. One pair of glasses is provided with the device free of charge.

    • NOTE: Wavelengths in nanometers show illustrative maximum peak values, but spectral coverage is wider for each color. The maximum peak values can differ slightly.



Aeration System


  • Aeration system provides mixing and also air/CO2 supply to cultures.
  • Integrated stainless steel U-tube with aeration holes (Ø 0.7 mm) + silicon connection.
  • The air source: Aeration Pump supplemented with a valve, which interrupts bubbling before the OD and fluorescence measurements to avoid any bubble interference with the measurements and thus to allow for more precise readings.
  • Optionally, the Photobioreactor FMT 150 can be linked to the Gas Mixing System GMS 150 that provides precise concentration and flow rate of the required gases.



Mixing


  • Mixing either by aeration (see Aeration System for more information) or by a Magnetic Stirrer (optional).
  • Two versions of the Magnetic Stirrer are offered (V-200 for FMT 150/400, FMT 150/1000 and V-300 for FMT 150/3000).
  • Magnetic stirrer with 35 mm long (Ø 6 mm) teflon-coated magnetic bar is intended for FMT 150/400 and FMT 150/1000 whereas a 60 mm long (Ø 10 mm) magnetic bar is used for FMT 150/3000). The magnetic bar is positioned in a vertical plane of the front glass panel inside the Photobioreactor. Rotation speed is adjustable approximately from 10 to 100 % (maximal rotation is 600 rpm for FMT 150/400, FMT 150/1000 and 400 rpm for FMT 150/3000).
  • The use of magnetic stirrer is essential when the agitation by gas cannot be applied, e.g. when the photosynthetic oxygen evolution or respiratory oxygen uptake are measured or when growing the culture anaerobically without gas supply. It can be also used to reduce cell sedimentation and clumping in addition to agitation by gas bubbling. It is highly recommended with use of the O2 and CO2 probes based on Clark-type electrodes.
    • NOTE: The magnetic stirrer can’t be used simultaneously with the External Light Panel and with the PWM pump.


OD and Chlorophyll-a Fluorescence Monitoring


  • Integrated Turbidimeter (OD 680 and 720 nm) with Double-Modulation Fluorometer (blue and red excitation lights) for automatic monitoring.
  • The optical path of OD and Chl-a fluorescence measurement: 24 mm.
  • The OD measurement is temperature corrected.
  • OD 720 measures light scattering on particles and can serve as a proxy for biomass growth whereas OD 680 is linked to the chlorophyll absorption and can be used for an estimation of chlorophyll concentration.
  • Chl-a fluorescence measurement can be used for a rough evaluation of the biomass physiological state. Determined parameters: F0, FT, FM, F’M,(F’M – FT/F’M).
  • The Photobioreactor Control Software (optional) enables remote online visualization of recorded data in real-time. Moreover, the software allows to fit the OD data with the various regression functions to facilitate the evaluation of the actual growth rate.


Sensors


  • pH / Temperature Module includes the electronic module, combined membrane sensor and cable. Analogue pH sensor InPro 3253SG/120/PT1000 produced by Mettler Toledo.
  • O2 Module (optional) to measure concentration of dissolved O2 (includes the electronic module, membrane sensor and cable). Analogue O2 sensor InPro 6800/12/120 produced by Mettler Toledo.
  • CO2 sensor (optional) Digital CO2 sensor InPro 5000i/12/120 produced by Mettler Toledo. To determine the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration in cultivated suspension (includes the electronic module, sensor probe with digital communication, and cables).

pH, O<sub>2</sub> and CO<sub>2</sub> membrane sensorspH, O2 and CO2 membrane sensors
Sensors in PBRSensors in PBR


Cultivation Strategies


  • The highly flexible use of the PBS’s system is enabled through connection and control of several additional pumps. Such design allows to use any of the measured parameters (OD, pH, dCO2 or dO2, etc.) as a control regulator in order to operate the system in automatic regime.
  • Up to 8 Peristaltic Pumps PP 600 (optional) and two PWM diaphragm pumps (optional) can be linked to the Photobioreactor FMT 150 for supply of different nutrients, medium, catalysts, inhibitors, toxicants, base or acid, organisms, etc.
  • Batch cultivation
  • Semi-continuous cultivation
  • Turbidostatic cultivation
  • Chemostatic cultivation
  • Anaerobic cultivation
  • Turbidostat Module (optional): maintains a pre-set cell concentration (determined through OD 680 or OD 720) in a constant biomass volume. The pre-set cell concentration can be constant, fluctuating in a various range or dynamically changed. The module includes one Peristaltic Pump PP 600 and supporting control software.
  • Chemostat Module (optional): In chemostat mode, pH value of the cultivation media is continuously adjusted by acid or base addition to the cultivation vessel in order to keep pH level on defined level. The module includes two Peristaltic Pumps PP 600 and supporting control software. One pump serves adding acid, the second pump adds base.
  • pH-Stat / Turbidostat Module (optional): The Module enables either turbidostatic cultivation or pH-stat mode cultivation regulated through a controlled gaseous CO2 addition. The Module includes one Peristaltic Pump PP 600 with one gas valve and supporting control software. CO2 container is not included.
  • pH-Stat cultivation through Gas Mixing System GMS 150 (optional): The Photobioreactor Control Software for GMS 150 (advanced, optional) enables to create a Java script that will keep the pH of the cultivation medium at defined level through a regulated gaseous CO2 addition.
  • Anaerobic cultivation via gas tight lid and N2 sparging.
  • Peristaltic Pump 600 is used for accurate and homogenous pumping of variety of fluids. The fluid delivery occurs with minimum sheer so the potential damage to the biological material is marginal. Pump flow-rate runs between 0.2 and 50 ml/min. The speed of rotation and thus of pumping can be controlled manually via the pump display, or by a PC via USB interface.
  • PWM Pump (for Gas or Liquid depending on the used membrane): PWM pump can be used for pumping liquid or gas into the cultivation cuvette; it can be regulated within a range of 1-100 % of total output. The pump has diverse uses: (1) Controlled air bubbling in the cultivation vessel; (2) Single gas input into the vessel; (3) When connected to the vessel inlet and outlet, it can be used for suspension mixing (bubbling) in anaerobic conditions. NOTE: The PWM pump can’t be used simultaneously with the Magnetic Stirrer.

PP 600PP 600
PP 600 - detailPP 600 - detail


Photobioreactor Control Software


  • The entire Photobioreactor FMT 150 system and all its cultivation and monitoring functions and accessories can be controlled via the Photobioreactor Control Software. The control software provides intuitive and dynamic interface for online monitoring and visualization of all measured data as well as creation of user-defined protocols. For more details see our website about the Photobioreactor Control Software.



Application


  • Highly precise cultivation of microorganisms
  • Optimization of diverse cultivation conditions as nutrients, illumination, etc.
  • Biomass and end-product yield optimization
  • Growth dynamics monitoring
  • Regulatory profiling of algae
  • Photosynthesis research
  • Photosynthetic pigments studies
  • Stress physiology, detection of biotic and abiotic stress
  • Study of diurnal or metabolic rhythms
  • Study of secondary metabolites production
  • Bioprospecting of natural populations
  • Ecotoxicological research
  • Ecological research, microorganisms interactions, population dynamic
  • Environmental modeling


Photobioreactor Versions


Volume Version Standard Intensity/ Light Upgrade Color Temperature Range
400 ml PBR FMT 150/400-RW 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 RED, WHITE 5 - 75 °C
PBR FMT 150/400-RB 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 RED, BLUE 5 - 75 °C
PBR FMT 150/400-CUST 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 on request 5 - 75 °C
1,000 ml PBR FMT 150/1000-RW 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 RED, WHITE 10 - 75 °C
PBR FMT 150/1000-RB 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 RED, BLUE 10 - 75 °C
PBR FMT 150/1000-CUST 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 on request 10 - 75 °C
3,000 ml PBR FMT 150/3000-RW 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 RED, WHITE 10 - 75 °C
PBR FMT 150/3000-RB 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 RED, BLUE 10 - 75 °C
PBR FMT 150/3000-CUST 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 on request 10 - 75 °C

IMPORTANT NOTE: Additional accessories requested for full functionality.

Photobioreactors

Pricing


Basic configuration: PBR FMT 150

Volume Version Standard Intensity / Light Upgrade Color Temperature Range Price
400 ml PBR FMT 150/400-RW 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 RED, WHITE 5 - 75 °C 12,960 €
PBR FMT 150/400-RB 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 RED, BLUE 5 - 75 °C 12,960 €
PBR FMT 150/400-CUST 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 on request 5 - 75 °C Please enquire €
1,000 ml PBR FMT 150/1000-RW 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 RED, WHITE 10 - 75 °C 16,199 €
PBR FMT 150/1000-RB 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 RED, BLUE 10 - 75 °C 16,199 €
PBR FMT 150/1000-CUST 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 on request 10 - 75 °C Please enquire €
3,000 ml PBR FMT 150/3000-RW 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 RED, WHITE 10 - 75 °C 21,599 €
PBR FMT 150/3000-RB 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 RED, BLUE 10 - 75 °C 21,599 €
PBR FMT 150/3000-CUST 1,500 / 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 on request 10 - 75 °C Please enquire €


Basic configuration: Software + modules

Version Characteristics Price
FMT 150 or MC 1000 Control Unit
with Software Version BASIC *
Includes control unit (notebook with LCD, integrated keyboard and mouse) + BASIC version software for FMT 150/MC 1000 control, user-defined protocol writing, data collection, and visualization in tables or graphs.
 2,689 €
FMT 150 or MC 1000 Control Unit
with Software Version ADVANCED *
Includes control unit (notebook with LCD, integrated keyboard, and mouse) + ADVANCED version software for FMT 150/MC 1000, user-defined protocol writing, data collection, and visualization in tables or graphs.
 3,229 €
pH/Temperature Module
(sensor included) *
To measure pH and temperature of the cultivated suspension (includes the electronic module, sensor and cables).
 1,929 €
Air Pump with
Bubble Interruption Valve
Air pump for culture bubble stirring. Supplemented with a valve which interrupts bubbling during single measurements.
 250 €


Optional accessories

Version Characteristics Price
dO2 Module
(sensor included) *
To measure concentration of dissolved O2 (includes the electronic module, sensor and cables).
 2,799 €
CO2 Module
2020 *
To determine the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration in cultivated suspension (includes the electronic module, sensor probe with digital communication, and cables).
 8,179 €
Turbidostat Module
Includes Peristaltic Pump PP 600 and supporting control software. The module enables continuous-flow turbidostatic cultivation.
 2,149 €
Chemostat Module
Includes two Peristaltic Pumps PP 600 and supporting control software. One pump serves adding acid, the second pump adds base.
 2,799 €
pH-Stat / Turbidostat Module
Includes Peristaltic Pump PP 600 with one gas valve and supporting control software. The Module enables either turbidostatic cultivation or pH-stat cultivation (pH-stat control via changing CO2 flow rate). CO2 container is not included.
 2,590 €
Gas Mixing System GMS 150
High-precision gas mixing system includes two channels: Channel 1 for Air-N2; Channel 2 for CO2. Maximum total flow is 2 L.
9,390 €
Gas Mixing System GMS 150-MICRO
GMS 150-MICRO serves for precise gas mixing. It includes two channels (channel 1 for Air-N2; channel 2 for CO2). Preferably it is intended for use with MC and small PBR. Maximum total flow is 2L.
6,490 €
Light Upgrade for FMT 150/400
and FMT 150/1000
 Light intensity upgrade – actinic light up to 3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 (1,500 µmol.m-2.s-1 for each color).
 2,149 €
Light Upgrade for FMT 150/3000
Light intensity upgrade – actinic light up to
3,000 µmol.m-2.s-1 (1,500 µmol.m-2.s-1 for each color).
 2,690 €
External Light Panel E-1 *
External single-color light panel to be mounted to the Photobioreactor's front part.
 Price to be enquired €
External Light Panel E-2 *
External light panel - single-color with additional IR LEDs.
 Price to be enquired €
External Light Panel E-3 *
External light panel - bi-color (separate color control, no pulse mode).
 Price to be enquired €
Magnetic Stirrer V-200
Magnetic stirrer with 35 mm long Teflon-coated magnetic bar positioned in a vertical plane of the front glass panel inside the Photobioreactor. The speed of rotation is adjustable from 60 to 600 RPM.
 1,069 €
Magnetic Stirrer V-300
Magnetic stirrer is intended for use with Photobioreactor FMT 150/3000 (3L volume cuvette). Teflon-coated magnetic bar (length of 60 mm, Ø 10 mm) is positioned in a vertical plane of the front glass panel inside the Photobioreactor. The speed of rotation is adjustable from 40 to 400 rpm.
 1,515 €
Enhanced Vessel (400 ml) *
Made from nickel-plated brass covered with ceramic layer, the enhanced vessel is suitable for cultivation in the range of 5 ºC to 75 ºC. Vessel volume 400 ml.
 1,125 €
Enhanced Vessel (1000 ml) *
Made from nickel-plated brass covered with ceramic layer, the enhanced vessel is suitable for cultivation in the range of 10 ºC to 75 ºC. Vessel volume 1,000 ml.
 1,355 €
PWM Gas Pump Set
Pump with diverse uses: it can be used for pumping liquid or gas into the cultivation cuvette; it can be regulated withing a range of 1-100 % of total output.
 910 €
Pipetting Insert to Top Connector
Stainless pipetting insert to the top connector on Photobioreactor cuvette lid (intended for pipetting; enables also complete closing).
 45 €


Spare components

Version Characteristics Price
dO2 Sensor *
Supplementary sensor to dO2 module (without cable).
 2,199 €
dO2 Membrane Kit *
dO2 for dO2 probe. Includes: 4 membrane bodies, 1 O-ring set, 25 ml electrolyte.
 590 €
Additional Cable to dO2 Sensor *
Additional cable and connector to dO2 measuring sensor.
 270 €
CO2 Sensor *
Supplementary sensor to CO2 module (without cable).
 3,670 €
CO2 Membrane Kit *
CO2 membrane kit for CO2 probe. Includes: 4 membrane bodies, 1 O-ring set, 25 ml electrolyte.
 650 €
pH/T Sensor *
Supplementary pH/T sensor for measuring pH in the cultivated suspension (without cable).
 590 €
Additional Cable to pH/T Sensor *
Additional cable and connector to pH/T measuring sensor.
 270 €
Supplementary Vessel
(standard model, 400 ml) *
Supplementary standard vessel is made from stainless steel and glass and is suitable for cultivation in the range of 18 ºC to 50 ºC. Vessel volume 400 ml.
 1,085 €
Supplementary Vessel
(standard model, 1,000 ml) *
Supplementary standard vessel is made from stainless steel and glass and is suitable for cultivation in the range of 18 ºC to 50 ºC. Vessel volume 1,000 ml.
 1,255 €
Supplementary Vessel
(standard model, 3,000 ml) *
Supplementary standard vessel is made from stainless steel and glass and is suitable for cultivation in the range of 18 ºC to 50 ºC. Vessel volume 3000 ml.
 1,999 €
Supplementary Glass Part to Cultivation Vessel (400 ml) *
Includes just the glass body (not the frame, bottom, or cover). Made of boiling glassware, thickness 3.3 mm.
 430 €
Supplementary Glass Part to Cultivation Vessel (1,000 ml) *
Includes just the glass body (not the frame, bottom, or cover). Made of boiling glassware, thickness 3.3 mm.
 499 €
Supplementary Glass Part to Cultivation Vessel (3,000 ml) *
Includes just the glass body (not the frame, bottom, or cover). Made of boiling glassware, thickness 3.3 mm.
 825 €
Supplementary Lid to Cultivation Vessel *
3-connector lid to the cultivation vessel.
 215 €
Probe Cap
Stainless plug that enables closing unused probe opening in the Photobioreactor cuvette lid.
 27 €
PBRG-400 - Gasket Kit for Cultivation Vessel (400 ml) *
Includes: 5 pcs Silicone gasket for vessel bottom part, 5 pcs Silicone gasket for vessel top part, 5 pcs Silicone O-ring 75/3, 15 pcs Silicone O-ring 16/2.
 110 €
Spare Part Kit
for Photobioreactor FMT 150*
Kit includes: bulk connection plastics 45pc, overpressure valve, one-way valves 5pc, double-check valve 5pc, stainless bushing with silicone ring 2pc, rubber gasket 5pc, o-rings 5pc, silicone tubing 10 m.
 490 €
PBRG-1000 - Gasket Kit for Cultivation Vessel (1,000 ml) *
Includes: 5 pcs Silicone gasket for vessel bottom part, 5 pcs Silicone gasket for vessel top part, 5 pcs Silicone O-ring 75/3, 15 pcs Silicone O-ring 16/2.
 110 €
Spare Part Kit for for Turbidostat / Chemostat/ pH-Stat Module *
Package includes 5 pieces of tubing (autoclavable A-60-F 4x6 mm) and 8 corresponding connectors (4 pcs MTLL240-J1A + 4 pcs FTLL240-1).
 49 €
Spare Aeration Set for
FMT 150/400 and FMT 150/1000
The set includes: 5 stainless tubes of different length (2 long tubes + U-tube used for gas sparging, medium tube used for sampling, short tube used for overflowing) + 4x plastic connectors 5/16" BSFTLL Female.
 85 €
Additional Protective Glasses *
Radiation safety glasses protecting against excessive LED radiation – equipped with side cover and protective filters. One pair of glasses is provided with the device free of charge.
 25 €

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