Algae Windows

[Lawana Stuckert]

Algaewindow is an arrangement of glass spheres mounted in a wall. Directly behind the wall and the spheres is a window; vivid, miniature, inverted views of the scene outside the gallery thus appear in and inhabit each sphere. The composition of the work closely resembles the structure of one type of the single-celled algae known as diatoms, which remove large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere.

The idea of using flat algae tanks on the outside of buildings as part of a sustainability exercise is not new. Indeed, back in 2013, Splitterwerk Architects and engineering company Arup teamed up to create a full-scale demonstration building, called the BIQ, featuring no less than 200 sq m (2,150 sq ft) of algae bioskin panels.

These panels, tinted green by the biomass sandwiched within, serve several purposes. They take a stream of carbon dioxide, captured from what would otherwise be an emissions source, and bubble it through water impregnated with selected strains of algae, which absorb the CO2, as well as sunlight, and photosynthesize, increasing their mass and generating fresh oxygen. The more sunlight is available, the faster the algae will grow, capturing about two pounds of carbon dioxide for each pound of algae.

There seems to often be a bit of Photoshop involved when it comes to cool-looking algal devices. In the renders, as with this XBOX-style standalone bioreactor, they seem to glow a refreshing lime green, whereas in operation they seem to look a bit more drab and ... well, algal. Still, Greenfluidics wants to build its panels in a range of attractive designs that can elevate the architecture and provide a green focus. Founded in 2018, the company is hoping to have a product commercialized soon. In the meanwhile, it's won a fair swag of awards.

How long would these panels last? How often would you have to clean them out, and do people need to abseil down the walls to do it? Would the algae gunk up the valves and pipework? Would the green-tinted light they let through make people feel queasy? Since the BIQ has to shut down through winter, are there algal strains available that'll work year-round in a range of climates? Will they make people sick if there's a leak?

Then there's the economics; the BIQ was an early pilot project, but its panels increased the cost of the building facade by a factor of 10. Assuming economies of scale, what's the green premium on algae panels in a mass-market implementation? How much can you sell your sludgy biomass for once it's filtered out? What are the running costs? How much will it bring your power bills down? Is there a minimum size for a viable deployment of this stuff?

Probably most importantly, how does the energy generation and building cooling compare against boring old solar panels, window tinting and insulation? Carbon capture and oxygen release are lovely, but they don't show up on the balance sheet for a building operator. These things will really need to sing for their supper if the idea of bubbling, green, transparent building panels is going to take off.

The other two numbers it touts are a shade-cooling effect that could save "up to 90 kWh/m2" per year, and that its solution can "improve air quality by mitigating from 200 kg CO2/year," which really makes no sense without some idea of scale.

We issue the Aquatic Plant and Algae Management (APAM) General Permit to allow chemical treatments for the management of aquatic noxious weeds, native nuisance plants, and algae. These chemicals are limited to a specific list of aquatic-labeled herbicides, algaecides, biological water clarifiers, adjuvants, marker dyes, shading products, and phosphorus sequestration products. They can be used directly into fresh water (lakes, streams, and rivers) or along shorelines, roadsides, dikes/levees, and ditch banks.

Treatment Timing WindowsWhat are treatment timing windows?The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has established treatment timing windows for the use of aquatic pesticides. These timing windows limit when applicators can use certain chemicals. The goal is to protect sensitive species of fish, birds, other wildlife, and priority habitats.

Permittees covered by the Aquatic Plant and Algae Management permit (APAM) must comply with these WDFW treatment timing windows. The active ingredients that trigger timing windows for fish species are listed below (these are also noted in Table 2 on pp 16-18 of the APAM permit):

Use of other active ingredients listed in Table 2 must still follow any timing windows or conditions for other types of wildlife. Permittees must refer to the WDFW timing window map for more information about waterbody-specific timing windows before conducting any treatments. Some treatment timing windows require consultation with WDFW prior to beginning any treatment.

Permittees may request a modified treatment timing window by emailing the information listed below to Ecology at aquaticpes...@ecy.wa.gov. Requests may be approved, conditionally approved, or denied by WDFW on an annual basis. New permit applicants may request a modified treatment timing window at the time of permit application. Current permittees may request a modified treatment timing window at any time.

Use warm water to dissolve the oxygen bleach in a spray bottle, then spray the algae spots on your windows, allow it to soak into the surface for 10 minutes or more, and use a scrub brush to remove the algae. Rinse with a garden hose and say goodbye to that algae.

You can surmise that using TSP can be potentially harmful to any plants that are located beneath your window if they should catch stray drops from your application and that TSP can discolor painted surfaces, both wood and metal.

A professional pressure washer can remove the algae within a day, and the entire job will make your windows and siding look as good as new once again. The force of the pressure washer will destroy the algae, which is similar to the scrubbing you would be doing with a hard-bristled brush.

For algae that grow directly on the windowpane either inside or on the outside of your window, your best solution is to grab some spray-on bleach and a good scrub brush to rinse and then scrub it off. The bleach will kill the algae on contact, and once the life form is dead, it becomes easier to remove with a brush and a rag.

Certain conditions must exist in order to notice algae on your windows. Algae growth is a natural process that combines water, natural light and the right temperature conditions. In order to prevent algae growth on your windows, the right approach would be to check your windows for any leaks.

At Feldco, we have factory trained installers ready to replace your windows with accurate measurements and installation to ensure that your windows are properly sealed from the outside. Speak to a product specialist and get a free quote online today.

Faade technology continues to advance, with Arup at the forefront of its evolution. One major area of development is the conservation and generation of renewable energy from bio-reactive facades, as demonstrated by our SolarLeaf faade.

Unveiled as a pilot project at the International Building Exhibition (IBA) in Hamburg in 2013, the worlds first bio-reactive faade design generates renewable energy from algal biomass and solar thermal heat. The integrated system, suitable for new and existing buildings, was developed collaboratively by Strategic Science Consult of Germany (SSC), Colt International and Arup.

Carbon to feed the algae can come from any combustion process (such as a boiler in a nearby building), giving a short carbon cycle and preventing carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere and contributing to climate change.

Because microalgae absorb daylight, bioreactors can also be used as dynamic shading devices. Cell density inside the bioreactors depends on available light and the harvesting cycle - with more daylight, more algae grows and provides more shading for the building.

The first SolarLeaf faade was installed on the BIQ house at the IBA in Hamburg in 2013. 129 2.5m x 0.7m bioreactors were installed on the south-west and south-east sides of the four-storey residential building. Working as a secondary faade, SolarLeaf provides around one third of the total thermal demand of the 15 residential units in the BIQ house.

The flat photobioreactors are highly efficient for algal growth and need minimal maintenance. Made of four layers of glass, the two inner panes form a 24-litre cavity where the growing medium circulates. Either side of these panes, insulated argon-filled cavities help minimise heat loss. The front glass panel consists of white antireflective glass, while the glass on the back can include decorative glass elements.

Compressed air is introduced to the bottom of each bioreactor at regular intervals, creating bubbles for upstream water flow and turbulence that stimulate the algae to absorb CO2 and light. At the same time, a mixture of water, air and small plastic scrubbers wash the inner surfaces of the panels. SolarLeaf integrates all servicing pipes for the inflow and outflow of the culture medium and air in its frame.

The system can operate all year round, with a light to biomass conversion efficiency of 10% and light to heat 38%. In comparison, photovoltaic systems have an efficiency of 12-15% and solar thermal systems 60-65%. The maximum temperature that can be extracted from the bioreactors is around 40 degrees Celsius, as higher levels affect the microalgae.

The key to successful implementation of photobioreactors on a wider scale is cooperation between stakeholders and designers. The technology benefits strong interdisciplinary collaboration, combining skills in environmental design, faades, materials, simulations, services, structural engineering and control systems.

Algae growth is a natural process, which requires a mix of conditions including moisture, natural light and temperatures of between 20 and 30 degrees. Algae on windows is unsightly and, if left untreated, it can lead to discolouration of your PVCu window frames and sills.

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