APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL
First Claim
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1. A method for illuminating an algae, comprising:
- concentrating a stream of light;
transmitting the stream of light to an illuminator having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;
transmitting the stream of light within the illuminator between the first and second surface to a reflector disposed between the first surface and the second surface;
radiating the stream of light through either the first surface or the second surface of the illuminator; and
illuminating the algae with the stream of light.
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Abstract
A photobioreactor includes a cultivation zone configured to contain a liquid culture medium and facilitate growth of a microalgae biomass, a plurality of parallel edge-lit light transmitting devices mounted within the cultivation zone, and a collection zone oriented in relation to the cultivation zone such that at least a portion of the liquid culture medium and microalgae from the cultivation zone may be periodically harvested. Methods for illuminating algae, for dissolving materials into an algae medium, for extracting oil from algae, and for producing biodiesel from algal oil are also provided.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for illuminating an algae, comprising:
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concentrating a stream of light; transmitting the stream of light to an illuminator having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; transmitting the stream of light within the illuminator between the first and second surface to a reflector disposed between the first surface and the second surface; radiating the stream of light through either the first surface or the second surface of the illuminator; and illuminating the algae with the stream of light. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of extracting an algal oil from an algae cultivated in a photobioreactor, comprising:
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placing the algae in a space between a rotor and a housing; generating relative rotational movement between the rotor and the housing so as to agitate the algae; breaking a cell wall of the algae to allow algal oil to release from the algae into a suspension; flocculating the suspension with a standing wave to isolate the algal oil from a pulp comprising the cell wall; and removing the algal oil and the pulp from the suspension. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A method of extracting an algal oil from an algae cultivated in a photobioreactor, comprising:
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placing the algae in an agitator; breaking a cell wall of the algae with the agitator to allow algal oil to release from the algae into a suspension; transferring the suspension from the agitator to an aggregation tank; creating a standing sonic wave in the suspension contained within the aggregation tank with a standing sonic wave generator; aggregating a pulp comprising the cell wall at a pressure node formed by the standing sonic wave; and allowing the pulp to settle toward the bottom of the aggregation tank, separate from the algal oil. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A method of extracting an algal oil from an algae, comprising:
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placing the algae in a space between a rotor and a housing, wherein the rotor is disposed at least partially within the housing in a concentric arrangement; generating relative rotational movement between the rotor and the housing so as to create cavitation in the space between the rotor and the housing and agitate the algae; breaking a cell wall of the algae to allow algal oil to release from the algae into a suspension; transferring the suspension to an aggregation tank, the suspension comprising the algal oil and the cell wall; creating a standing sonic wave in the suspension with a standing sonic wave generator; aggregating a pulp comprising the cell wall at a pressure node; allowing the pulp to settle toward the bottom of the aggregation tank, separate from the algal oil; removing the algal oil through a first passage disposed toward a top portion of the aggregation tank; removing the pulp through a second passage disposed toward a bottom portion of the aggregation tank; transferring a volume comprising at least a portion of the suspension remaining in the aggregation tank to the space between the rotor and the housing; and infusing the volume with carbon dioxide and nutrients via cavitation.
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10. A photobioreactor for growing a microalgae biomass, comprising:
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a cultivation zone configured to contain a liquid culture medium and facilitate growth of the microalgae biomass; and a light concentrator mounted above the cultivation zone, the light concentrator having a light concentration surface that concentrates a stream of light and directs the stream of light toward an illuminator, wherein the illuminator comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a reflector disposed between the first surface and the second surface that reflects the stream of light through the first surface or the second surface of the illuminator so as to illuminate the microalgae biomass. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A culture unit for cultivating microalgae, comprising:
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a cultivation zone configured to contain a liquid culture medium and facilitate growth of the microalgae; a light concentrator mounted above the cultivation zone, the light concentrator having a light concentration surface that concentrates a stream of light and directs the stream of light toward an illuminator; a collection zone in fluid communication with the cultivation zone; a hydrodynamic separation zone in fluid communication with the cultivation zone; and a flocculation tank in fluid communication with the hydrodynamic separation zone; wherein the hydrodynamic separation zone comprises a cavitation mixer having a rotor and a housing, wherein the rotor is disposed at least partially within the housing in a concentric arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification