Design, Fabrication, and Testing of a Fully Automated Harvesting Machine for Lab-lab (Periphyton Algal Mat)

Abstract

Lab-Lab is a benthic algal complex of periphyton organisms. Its diverse composition allows it to float and suspend in clumps on the surface of its culture source – such as ponds with brackish water. However, it possesses a delicate structure wherein if introduced with even the slightest disruption it disperses back into individual microbial particles and loses surface tension in the process. Manually harvesting this type of algae poses many drawbacks and loses. In this study, an automated harvester is utilized to collect the algal mat since there is minimal disruptions developed by the machine. The biomass is drawn into the harvester due to the centrifugal pump, which is then collected through scoopers with a filter mesh. The gathered biomass is transported to the discharge side, ready to be processed for drying.