Chlora 🌿

Chlora is an open-source, closed-loop domestic photobioreactor designed to purify indoor air, sequester $CO_2$, and produce oxygen. Fully replicable and 3D-printable, the system is automated via a Raspberry Pi to bring industrial-grade bioreaction into the home.

The biological core of Chlora relies on the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris. With just 10 liters of culture, this compact system matches the daily photosynthetic efficiency of 1 to 2 medium-sized indoor trees.

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How It Works

1. Environmental Optimization: The Raspberry Pi continuously monitors the culture using low-cost sensors (Turbidity, pH, and Temperature).
2. Automated Harvesting: When the algal density reaches its optimal peak, the system triggers a micro-pump to push the fluid through a 5-micron filtering network.
3. Circular Biomass: A pneumatic backwash system extracts a concentrated algae paste, ready to be used immediately as an organic biofertilizer for household plants.
4. IoT Ecosystem: A live Wi-Fi connection streams real-time data to an IoT app, sending notifications regarding filtration status and culture health.

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Hardware & Components

Chlora is designed to be accessible and affordable. The main stack includes:

• Brain: Raspberry Pi (3/4/Zero W)
• Biological Agent: Chlorella vulgaris culture (10L)
• Sensors:
  • Analog Turbidity Sensor (for density tracking)
  • pH Sensor Kit
  • DS18B20 Temperature Sensor
• Actuators: Peristaltic/Micro water pump, pneumatic valve/air pump.
• Filtration: 5-micron mesh network.
• Chassis: 100% 3D-printable enclosure and mechanical parts.

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Repository Structure

├── hardware/          # .STL files, 3D models, and printing instructions
├── electronics/       # Wiring diagrams and schematic PDFs
├── firmware/          # Python scripts for Raspberry Pi and sensor reading
├── web-app/           # IoT Dashboard source code (HTML/CSS/JS or Framework)
└── LICENSE            # MIT License