SOLAR PLANT EMPLOYING CULTIVATION OF ORGANISMS

• US 20090197322A1
• Filed: 10/06/2008
• Published: 08/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Arnold J. Goldman
• Original Assignee: BrightSource Energy
• Inventors: Goldman, Arnold J.
• Application Number:
  US12/246,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20090197322A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/257.1
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/02 Photobioreactors culturing algae A01G33/00, A01H4/001, C12N1/12
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/50 Means for positioning or orientating the apparatus C12M41/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/18 External loop; Means for reintroduction of fermented biomass or liquid percolate loop type reactors for chemical or physical processes B01J19/2435
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 31/04 Mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 43/06 Photobioreactors combined with devices or plants for gas production different from a bioreactor of fermenter
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 43/08 Bioreactors or fermenters combined with devices or plants for production of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/12 Unicellular algae; Culture media therefor as new plants A01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 13/00 Treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy, e.g. magnetism, sonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 5/023 Methane
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/20 Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/46 Conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling or solar thermal engines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/133 Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/59 Biological synthesis; Biological purification
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/20 using renewable energy

Abstract

A method of growing algae is described that is part of a cogenerational energy production plant in which solar energy from a solar collecting and concentrating field is used to provide photonic energy for the growth and stress phase of algae as well as to provide heat for driving a turbine. The supplementary energy for the power plant is provided by natural gas and by biomethane that is produced by fermentation of the algal biomass. The carbon dioxide that is a by-product of the combustion of both the natural gas and the biomethane is recycled to provide the carbon source for the algal growth.

Claims

1. A method of generating electricity, comprising:

concentrating sunlight to a first level of solar flux;

selecting a portion of the spectrum of the light resulting therefrom and using it to photostress an organism.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting includes reflecting concentrated light from a hot mirror.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the concentrating includes reflecting light from a heliostat array.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the portion of the spectrum on angled surfaces forming a cascade over which liquid media, containing growth culture, trickles.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the directing includes concentrating the sunlight to a first level of solar flux.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the concentrating includes reflecting light from a heliostat array.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the directing includes selecting a portion of the solar spectrum.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the selecting includes reflecting concentrated light from a hot mirror.

5. A method of generating electricity, comprising:

directing sunlight onto a series of angled surfaces forming a cascade;

directing liquid media carrying living organisms repeatedly over the surfaces to photo stress the organisms.

10. A bioreactor, comprising:

at least one member having an array of angled surfaces forming a cascade;

the angled surfaces being irregular such that fluid flowing thereover is rendered turbulent;

a recycling channel directing fluid from the bottom of the cascade to the top such that the fluid flow down the cascade repeatedly.

11. The bioreactor of claim 10, wherein the at least one member forms gutters at intermediate points which are effective to spread fluid across the angled surfaces.

12. A method of generating electricity, comprising:

concentrating a first portion of sunlight onto a receiver which conveys a working fluid to an electrical generator;

conveying a second portion of the sunlight onto a bioreactor, the bioreactor being configured to grow an organism in the dark by selectively blocking sunlight at predefined times or in response to detected conditions and selectively unblocking the sunlight at other times or under other detected conditions.