Bio-Breeder System for Biomass Production

• US 20090221057A1
• Filed: 02/28/2008
• Published: 09/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James C. Kennedy
• Original Assignee: James C. Kennedy
• Inventors: Kennedy, James C.
• Application Number:
  US12/039,444
• Publication Number:
  US 20090221057A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/286.500
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/02 Photobioreactors culturing algae A01G33/00, A01H4/001, C12N1/12
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 31/08 by conducting or reflecting elements located inside the reactor or in its structure
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 39/00 Means for cleaning the apparatus or avoiding unwanted deposits of microorganisms apparatus for cleaning laboratory receptacles or instruments B01L13/02; cleaning in general B08B
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/06 of illumination

Abstract

A system for converting flue gases into useful biofuels and oxygen. The system uses flue gases and thermal energy from smokestack industries to grow algae in a controlled environment. The flue gases are used as nutrients for the growth of algae through photosynthesis which is then processed into biofuels. The algae growth occurs in a controlled environment to minimize contamination of the algae as well as to optimize the algae growth. Sunlight and artificial light is modulated to provide the optimum light source for the photosynthesis process.

Claims

1. An algae breeder system wherein said breeder system comprises:

an enclosed tank for containing a liquid medium for growing algae;

a light source for providing light to said tank;

a feedstock inlet on said tank;

a source of flue gases connected to said feedstock inlet for feeding flue gases into the liquid medium in said tank;

a sensor mechanism for measuring the conditions in said tank;

a control mechanism for adjusting the light from said light source, the liquid level in said tank and the flow of the flue gases through said feedstock inlet; and

a controlled environment around said tank.

2. The algae breeder system of claim 1 wherein said controlled environment includes:

an underground enclosure.

3. The algae breeder system of claim 1 wherein said controlled environment includes:

an indoor enclosure.

4. The algae breeder system of claim 1 wherein said light source includes:

a solar collector for providing sunlight to said enclosed tank.

5. The algae breeder system of claim 1 wherein said light source includes:

an artificial light source.

6. The algae breeder system of claim 1 wherein said light source includes:

a combination of a solar collector and an artificial light source to supplement said solar collector.

7. The algae breeder system of claim 1 wherein said system further comprises:

a light modulating system for modulating the light from said light source into said tank.

8. The algae breeder system of claim 1 wherein said system further comprises:

an inner reflective surface in said tank for reflecting light from said light source throughout said tank.

9. The algae breeder system of claim 1 wherein said system further comprises:

a scraping mechanism for cleaning algae from the inner surface of said tank.

10. The algae breeder system of claim 1 wherein said system further comprises:

an environmental control system utilizing thermal energy from the flue gases to control the environment around said tank.

11. The algae breeder system of claim 1 wherein said system further comprises:

a sparging system for sparging said flue gases into small bubbles.

22. The algae breeder system of claim 1 wherein said system further comprises:

an environmental control system utilizing thermal energy from the flue gases to control the environment around said tank.

23. The algae breeder system of claim 1 wherein said system further comprises:

a sparging system for sparging said flue gases into small bubbles.

12. A system for converting flue gases into biofuels, wherein said system comprises:

an enclosed tank for containing a liquid medium for growing algae;

a light source for providing light to said tank;

a light modulation system for modulating said light source to optimize the light transmitted in said tank;

a feedstock inlet on said tank;

a source of flue gases connected to said feedstock inlet for feeding flue gases into the liquid medium in said tank;

a sensor mechanism for measuring the conditions in said tank;

a control mechanism for adjusting the light from said light source, the liquid level in said tank and the flow of the flue gases through said feedstock inlet; and

a controlled environment around said tank.

13. The algae breeder system of claim 12 wherein said controlled environment includes:

an underground enclosure.

14. The algae breeder system of claim 12 wherein said controlled environment includes:

an indoor enclosure.

15. The algae breeder system of claim 12 wherein said light source includes:

a solar collector for providing sunlight to said enclosed tank.

16. The algae breeder system of claim 12 wherein said light source includes:

an artificial light source.

17. The algae breeder system of claim 12 wherein said light source includes:

a combination of a solar collector and an artificial light source to supplement said solar collector.

18. The algae breeder system of claim 12 wherein said light source includes:

light strands extending through said enclosed tank.

19. The algae breeder system of claim 18 wherein said system further includes:

grommets that clean algae from said light strands.

20. The algae breeder system of claim 12 wherein said system further comprises:

an inner reflective surface in said tank for reflecting light from said light source throughout said tank.

21. The algae breeder system of claim 12 wherein said system further comprises:

a scraping mechanism for scraping the inner surfaces of said tank.