Biomass production system

• US 20100105129A1
• Filed: 10/27/2008
• Published: 04/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jose L. Sanchez-Pina, Ramon Sanchez-Pina
• Original Assignee: Jose L. Sanchez-Pina, Ramon Sanchez-Pina
• Inventors: Sanchez-Pina, Jose L., Sanchez-Pina, Ramon
• Application Number:
  US12/290,044
• Publication Number:
  US 20100105129A1
• 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 23/06 Tubular C12M23/08, C12M23/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/56 Floating elements
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 33/04 by injection or suction, e.g. using pipettes, syringes, needles pipettes in general B01L3/02
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/06 of illumination

Abstract

A system preferably for light irradiation, wherein the system includes a support structure, wherein the support structure is able to accommodate an array of vessels capable of receiving light; the system includes a buoyancy support system and a feeding harvesting system, wherein the buoyancy support system is in fluid and data communication with the array of vessels to regulate the amount of light introduced into the vessels within a fluid medium.

Claims

1. A system for controlled exposure to light irradiation comprising:

a support structure;

an array of vessels disposed in a horizontal manner and substantially located upon the support structure;

a buoyancy support system in communication with the array of vessels, wherein the buoyancy support system regulates the amount of light introduced upon the vessels within a fluid medium; and

a feeding/harvesting system in communication with the array of vessels, wherein the feeding harvesting system regulates the growth of elements contained within the vessels.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the buoyancy support system further comprises:

a floating support, wherein the floating support resides on the surface of the fluid medium;

a depth control processor unit, wherein the depth control processor unit is substantially located on the floating support;

a plurality of depth controllers, wherein the depth controllers are in fluid communication with the depth control processor unit via compressed air piping, to regulate the depth of the array of vessels within the fluid medium; and

a compressed air storage tank, wherein the tank allows for the introduction of compressed air into the depth controllers via the air piping.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the feeding harvesting system further comprises:

a floating support, wherein the floating support resides on the surface of the fluid medium;

a nutrient storage tank, wherein the nutrient storage tank allows for the introduction of various nutrients into the vessels;

a plurality of nutrient piping, in fluid communication with the nutrient storage tank and the array of vessels for transporting nutrients into the vessels;

a biomass storage tank, wherein the biomass storage tank allows for the collection of biomass produced by the light irradiation system;

a plurality of harvesting piping, in fluid communication with the biomass storage tank and the array of vessels for transporting of biomass into the tank; and

a feed harvest control unit, wherein the feed harvest control unit regulates the introduction of nutrients into the vessels and the removal of biomass from the system.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of light-sensing devices are located within the array of vessels such that each light-sensing device measures the amount of light received by the array of vessels.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the floating support of the buoyancy support system further comprises:

a solenoid operated valve, wherein the solenoid operated valve regulates an air valve to maintain air flow in and out of the depth controllers; and

a pump disposed to transfer air from the compressed air storage tank.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the floating support of the feeding harvesting system further comprises:

a solenoid operated valve, wherein the solenoid operated valve controls an air valve; and

a pump, wherein the pump activates a motor to regulate the introduction of nutrients into the vessels, and is in fluid communication with the air valve.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein a quantity of micro algae are placed within the vessels for the production of biomass.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid medium is a body of water.

9. The system of claim 5, wherein the depth control processor unit is in electrical and data communication with at least one light-sensing device and is disposed to regulate the depth of the array of vessels by the introduction of compressed air into the vessels.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein the depth control processor unit is in electrical communication with the pump and solenoid valve of the buoyancy support system and is disposed to activate the air valve based on the light reading from the light-sensing device.

11. The light irradiation system of claim 6, wherein the feed harvest control unit is in data and electrical communication with the depth control processor unit and is disposed to regulate the harvesting and feeding cycle of the system.

12. The light irradiation system of claim 6, wherein the feed harvest control unit simultaneously activates the solenoid valve of the feeding harvesting system along with the motor of the pump and is disposed to begin pumping water into the vessels.

13. A system for controlled exposure to light irradiation comprising:

a support structure;

an array of vessels disposed in a horizontal manner and substantially located upon the support structure; and

a plurality of buoyancy support systems in communication with the array of vessels, wherein each buoyancy support system regulates the amount of light introduced upon the vessels within a fluid medium.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein each buoyancy support system further comprises:

a floating support, wherein the floating support further includes;

a depth control riser, wherein the depth control riser allows for movement of the array of vessels; and

an air compressor for introduction of compressed air into each vessel; and

a buoyancy depth controller, wherein the depth controller is in communication with the depth control riser and is disposed to regulate the distance between the array of vessels and each floating support.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein micro algae is introduced into the vessels for biomass production.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the fluid medium is the ocean.