Maximum safety and efficiency in laboratory and pre-scale cultivation of microalgae
Subitec offers a range of lab-scale and pre-scale systems designed to meet a variety of microalgal production requirements. Each system has unique specifications that make it ideal for a particular set of applications. The LS6, LS28, LS4x28 and LS180 systems offer high scalability and flexibility for any type of microalgae production. In addition, the laboratory systems occupy an important position in Subitec’s microalgae production concept: from laboratory scale through the pre-scale phase to large-scale industrial production as a continuous process with simultaneous process phases.
Maximum safety and efficiency in laboratory and pre-scale cultivation of microalgae
Subitec offers a range of lab-scale and pre-scale systems designed to meet a variety of microalgal production requirements. Each system has unique specifications that make it ideal for a particular set of applications. The LS6, LS28, LS4x28 and LS180 systems offer high scalability and flexibility for any type of microalgae production. In addition, the laboratory systems occupy an important position in Subitec’s microalgae production concept: from laboratory scale through the pre-scale phase to large-scale industrial production as a continuous process with simultaneous process phases.
Lab and pre-scale systems with flat-panel-airlift-photobioreactors

The unique Flat-Panel-Airlift-Photobioreactor technology of the Fraunhofer Institute is used in all lab and pre-scale systems and provides an excellent growth environment for microalgae. It allows precise control of growth conditions such as light, temperature and carbon dioxide, resulting in optimal cultivation processes, high growth rates and excellent product quality. Major contributions to this are made by the airlift system for improved CO2 transfer and powerful LED grow lights.
The Subitec flat-panel airlift photobioreactors require only a small floor area and deliver high production volume and increased productivity per square metre thanks to their large photosynthetic surface. Their efficient mixing and circulation system minimises shear stress and ensures fast and effective mixing of the culture medium. This supports the growth of fastidious microalgae and maintains cell viability.

Contamination-free production through closed FPA photobioreactor system
The Flat-Panel-Airlift-Photobioreactor systems from Subitec enable contamination-free microalgae production due to their hermetically sealed design, which shields the culture medium from external influences and reduces the risk of contamination. This ensures the sustainable production of high-quality microalgal biomass. The sophisticated design prevents unwanted microorganisms from entering the system or cultivated microalgae/GMOs from escaping into the environment. This makes the systems ideal for the cultivation of sensitive, high-value or genetically modified microalgae. As the quality of the microalgal biomass often determines cultivation success, the Subitec technology provides a robust basis for these objectives.
LS6 – Basic module with compact efficiency for microalgae production on a laboratory scale

Short Facts
1
Flat-Panel-Airlift-Photobioreactor
6 litres
Cultivation volume
0.6 square metres
Photosynthetic surface max.
Features | LS6 |
---|---|
Operating volume | 6 litres |
Aeration membrane | |
Sampling unit | |
Integrated LED unit (per FPA) | 4000 K / 230 V / 50 Hz / 320 W 80..800 µmol m-2s-1 |
LED dimmable | |
Illuminated area (per FPA) | 400 x 750 mm |
Pressure regulator air | 6 litres |
Pressure regulator CO2 | |
Air supply (per FPA) | |
CO2 supply (per FPA) | |
Foam trap | |
Temperature control | |
pH probe | |
Temperature probe | |
Data storage | |
Touchscreen |
LS6 – Basic module with compact efficiency for microalgae production on a laboratory scale

Short Facts
1
Flat-Panel-Airlift-Photobioreactor
6 litres
Cultivation volume
0.6 square metres
Photosynthetic surface max.
Features | LS6 |
---|---|
Operating volume | 6 litres |
Aeration membrane | |
Sampling unit | |
Integrated LED unit (per FPA) | 4000 K / 230 V / 50 Hz / 320 W 80..800 µmol m-2s-1 |
LED dimmable | |
Illuminated area (per FPA) | 400 x 750 mm |
Pressure regulator air | 6 litres |
Pressure regulator CO2 | |
Air supply (per FPA) | |
CO2 supply (per FPA) | |
Foam trap | |
Temperature control | |
pH probe | |
Temperature probe | |
Data storage | |
Touchscreen |

LS28 – excellent quality for the cultivation of microalgae in the medium volume range
Short Facts
1
Flat-panel airlift photobioreactor
28 litres
Cultivation volume
2.3 square metres
Photosynthetic surface max.
Features | LS28 |
---|---|
Operating volume | 28 litres |
Aeration membrane | |
Sampling unit | |
Integrated LED unit (per FPA) | max. 800 µmol m-2 s-1 / 500 W / 20-100 % 400-780 nm |
LED dimmable | |
Illuminated area (per FPA) | 900 x 1300 mm |
Pressure regulator air | 28 litres |
Pressure regulator CO2 | |
Air supply (per FPA) | |
CO2 supply (per FPA) | |
Foam trap | |
Temperature control | |
pH probe | |
Temperature probe | |
Data storage | |
Touchscreen |
LS4x28 – Quad-core scalability meets high efficiency for optimal microalgae cultivation
Short Facts
4
Flat-panel airlift photobioreactors
112 litres
Cultivation volume
9.3 square metres
Photosynthetic surface max.
Features | LS4x28 |
---|---|
Operating volume | 4 FPA each 28 litres |
Aeration membrane | |
Sampling unit | |
Integrated LED unit (per FPA) | 160..800 µmol m-2 s-1 / 500 W / 20-100 % 400-780 nm |
LED dimmable | |
Illuminated area (per FPA) | 900 x 1300 mm |
Pressure regulator air | 4 FPA per 28 litres |
Pressure regulator CO2 | |
Air supply (per FPA) | |
CO2 supply (per FPA) | |
Foam trap | |
Temperature control | |
pH probe | |
Temperature prob | |
Data storag | |
Touchscreen |

LS28 – excellent quality for the cultivation of microalgae in the medium volume range
Short Facts
1
Flat-panel airlift photobioreactor
28 litres
Cultivation volume
2.3 square metres
Photosynthetic surface max.
Features | LS28 |
---|---|
Operating volume | 28 litres |
Aeration membrane | |
Sampling unit | |
Integrated LED unit (per FPA) | max. 800 µmol m-2 s-1 / 500 W / 20-100 % 400-780 nm |
LED dimmable | |
Illuminated area (per FPA) | 900 x 1300 mm |
Pressure regulator air | 28 litres |
Pressure regulator CO2 | |
Air supply (per FPA) | |
CO2 supply (per FPA) | |
Foam trap | |
Temperature control | |
pH probe | |
Temperature probe | |
Data storage | |
Touchscreen |
LS4x28 – Quad-core scalability meets high efficiency for optimal microalgae cultivation
Short Facts
4
Flat-panel airlift photobioreactors
112 litres
Cultivation volume
9.3 square metres
Photosynthetic surface max.
Features | LS4x28 |
---|---|
Operating volume | 4 FPA each 28 litres |
Aeration membrane | |
Sampling unit | |
Integrated LED unit (per FPA) | 160..800 µmol m-2 s-1 / 500 W / 20-100 % 400-780 nm |
LED dimmable | |
Illuminated area (per FPA) | 900 x 1300 mm |
Pressure regulator air | 4 FPA per 28 litres |
Pressure regulator CO2 | |
Air supply (per FPA) | |
CO2 supply (per FPA) | |
Foam trap | |
Temperature control | |
pH probe | |
Temperature prob | |
Data storag | |
Touchscreen |

LS180 – Increasing microalgae production on a laboratory scale with high efficiency
Short Facts
1
Flat-panel airlift photobioreactor
180 litres
Cultivation volume
9.0 square metres
Photosynthetic surface max.
Features | LS180 |
---|---|
Operating volume | 180 litres |
Aeration membrane | |
Sampling unit | |
Integrated LED unit (per FPA) | 160..800 µmol m-2 s-1 / 2000 W / 20-100 % 400-780 nm |
LED dimmable | |
LED dimmable (per FPA) | 1800 x 2500 mm |
Pressure regulator air | 180 litres |
Pressure regulator CO2 | |
Air supply (per FPA) | |
CO2 supply (per FPA) | |
Foam trap | |
Temperature control | |
pH probe | |
Temperature probe | |
Data storage | |
Touchscreen |

LS180 – Increasing microalgae production on a laboratory scale with high efficiency
Short Facts
1
Flat-panel airlift photobioreactor
180 litres
Cultivation volume
9.0 square metres
Photosynthetic surface max.
Features | LS180 |
---|---|
Operating volume | 180 litres |
Aeration membrane | |
Sampling unit | |
Integrated LED unit (per FPA) | 160..800 µmol m-2 s-1 / 2000 W / 20-100 % 400-780 nm |
LED dimmable | |
LED dimmable (per FPA) | 1800 x 2500 mm |
Pressure regulator air | 180 litres |
Pressure regulator CO2 | |
Air supply (per FPA) | |
CO2 supply (per FPA) | |
Foam trap | |
Temperature control | |
pH probe | |
Temperature probe | |
Data storage | |
Touchscreen |