Budget

Budget

Category	Projected Cost
Polyethylenemine Membrane	$80.00
Polysulfone Resin	$35.00
Plexiglas Tubing	$50.00
Green algae (Chlorella)	$7.75
Small Motor on Axis	$10.00
TOTAL	$139.06

1. Polyethylenemine Membrane

Polyethylenemine is a polymer that is commonly made into membranes that selectively allows carbon dioxide to pass through it. This material is necessary to make sure that no unnecessary gases enter the Chlorella solution.

2. Polysulfone Resin

The main purpose of polysulfone resin is to add strength to the polyethylenemine as a mounting surface. Polysulfone is porous and cheap, and mounting the membrane on the porous surface increases the membrane’s surface area.

3. Plexiglas Tubing

The Plexiglas is also for providing strength to the overall structure. Since the polyethylenemine is quite fragile, it needs a transparent material to protect it and let sunlight in. There are gaps in the tubing to let carbon dioxide make contact with the membrane.

    4. Green algae solution (Chlorella)

Green algae is ideal to place in the tube for several reasons. First, it undergoes photosynthesis, but does not need soil to grow like a plant. It also emits more oxygen compared to other plants’ emissions. Chlorella is a freshwater dwelling, fairly common, obtainable genus of green algae.

 5. Motor on Axis

The motor is necessary to keep the Chlorella solution moving throughout the tube. It will cause the system to rotate slowly every several hours. If the solution stays stagnant, then only some of the algae may reach adequate sunlight (and keep its productivity within the system) so it is more efficient for the solution to circulate throughout the system. However, it is also necessary for the water to stagnate because the algae grows better in a stagnant environment.