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Bioreactor Water Circulation System

A copper tube that is in a coil with both ends of the copper tubing at the top. The bottom tubing comes up the backside of the coil. Two plastic hoses are connected to either end of the copper tubbing. At the bottom of the image is the text Wort Chiller in blue.
Learning Goals

Learning Goals:

  1. Students will examine the properties of solar water pumping systems using KidWind solar water pumps or similar water pumps.
  2. Students will experiment with the properties of water and its limitations in circulating due to pump power and distance.
  3. Students will evaluate the use of a heat sink/chiller in the circulation of water through the bioreactor.
Materials List

Handouts

Classroom Supplies

  • 1-5 large bioreactors (compost piles)
  • Wooden pallet composters or large 50-gallon trash cans (if no existing bioreactor)
  • KidWind water pumps with tubing (class set)
  • 2 solar modules (1.5 V) or 1 solar module (3 V) per group
  • 2-3 water circulation systems (these will act as heat exchangers)
  • Wort chiller
  • Plastic irrigation tubing
  • Metal belt connectors or small zip ties
  • Shovel/trowel
  • Work gloves

Important Links

Next Generation Science Standards

Next Generation Science Standards

  • MS-PS3-3. Apply scientific principles to design, construct, and test a device that either minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer.
  • MS-PS3-4. Plan an investigation to determine the relationships among the energy transferred, the type of matter, the mass, and the change in the average kinetic energy of the particles as measured by the temperature of the sample.
  • HS-PS3-3. Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.

Lesson 3 of 3 / Time: 3-4 periods spaced over 3 months

Solar energy is available when the sun shines but energy can be supplemented at night by the decomposition energy in a bioreactor. In this activity we will experiment with the feasibility of using heated water in a bioreactor to circulate it through a water trough or pipe system to prevent it from freezing in the winter. This method will save money and natural resources for those who rely on water trough heaters to water livestock or those who use heat coil systems to make sure pipes do not freeze in winter months. This system could also be used as a radiant heating system throughout a shed or chicken coop to warm the shelter in winter.

 

Bioreactor Water Heating

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