Much has been made in recent years as to the potential of photobioreactors (PBRs) for the mass production of algae.  While still fairly expensive (relative to the costs of open ponds), PBRs hold many advantages, including dramatically decreased chances of contamination, higher cell densities, and easier control over culture conditions.  The biggest challenge is reducing costs sufficiently to allow for commercial-level scaling of this technology.

We will feature many individual efforts of PBR development in the coming months.  The first is the rooftop PBRs, formerly at M.I.T.(which have since been relocated to Mookgopong, South Africa).  These 3 meter tubes are constructed of polycarbonate and are accordingly durable.  They receive inputs from the smokestacks on the building and remove the majority of NOx and nearly half of the CO2 originating from there.

MIT Algae Photobioreactor