Tubular Microbial Growth System

• US 20100151558A1
• Filed: 09/13/2007
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Parabel Ltd
• Original Assignee: PetroAlgae LLC
• Inventors: Alianell, Gary A., Derwitsch, Frederic F., Howard, Everett E.
• Application Number:
  US12/441,115
• Publication Number:
  US 20100151558A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/257.300
• 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 23/20 Material Coatings immunocoatings C12M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/26 flexible flexible containers for laboratory use B01L3/505
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 31/08 by conducting or reflecting elements located inside the reactor or in its structure
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/10 Filtering the incident radiation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy

Abstract

Systems and methods for microorganism growth are disclosed. The systems include continuous-culture processes for the growth of large volumes of microorganisms.

Claims

1. ) A system for growing microorganisms, comprising:

a) a tubular vessel, comprising;

i) a substantially clear flexible, material;

ii) an inlet for adding media;

iii) an outlet for harvesting the microorganisms;

b) an energy source;

c) a media supply; and

d) at least one microorganism selected from the group consisting of Pseudochlorococcum sp., Chlorococcum sp., Chlorella sp., Scenedesmus sp., Palmellococcus sp., Cylindrospermopsis sp., and Planktothrix sp.

2. ) The system of claim 1 wherein the substantially clear, flexible material comprises polyethylene.

3. ) The system of claim 1 wherein the substantially clear, flexible material comprises PEEK.

4. ) The system of claim 1 wherein the substantially clear, flexible material comprises an ultraviolet-resistant material.

5. ) The system of claim 1 wherein the substantially clear, flexible material is coated to selectively pass specific wavelengths of light.

6. ) The system of claim 5 wherein the clear, flexible, coated material passes green light and reflects blue light.

7. ) The system of claim 6 wherein the clear, flexible, coated material passes visible light of a wavelength of about 510 nm and reflects visible light of a wavelength of about 475 nm.

8. ) The system of claim 5 wherein the clear, flexible, coated material passes blue light and reflects green light.

9. ) The system of claim 8 wherein the clear, flexible, coated material passes visible light of a wavelength of about 475 nm and reflects visible light of a wavelength of about 510 nm.

10. ) The system of claim 1 wherein the energy source comprises combustion of the biomass produced by the system.

11. ) The system of claim 1 wherein the media comprises waste-water.

12. ) The system of claim 1 wherein the microorganism comprises Chlorella sp.

13. ) The system of claim 1 wherein the microorganism comprises Pseudochlorococcum sp.

40. ) An apparatus for growing microorganisms, comprising:

a) a plurality of the systems of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of systems are fluidly-connected to a single bioreactor.

14. ) A method for growing microorganisms, comprising:

a) adding media to a substantially clear, flexible, tubular vessel with the microorganism;

b) sterilely inoculating the tubular vessel with a microorganism selected from the group consisting of Pseudochlorococcum sp., Chlorococcum sp., Chlorella sp., Scenedesmus sp., Palmellococcus sp., Cylindrospermopsis sp., and Planktothrix sp.;

c) monitoring at least one pre-determined parameter of the culture, selected from the group consisting of;

pH, temperature, O₂ concentration, CO₂ concentration, NO₃⁻

/PO₄³⁻

levels, conductivity, turbidity; and

d) harvesting at least a part of the culture when the culture exceeds at least one pre-determined parameter selected from the group consisting of;

pH, temperature, O₂ concentration, CO₂ concentration, NO₃⁻

/PO₄³⁻

levels, conductivity, and turbidity.

15. ) The system of claim 14 wherein the substantially clear, flexible material comprises polyethylene.

16. ) The system of claim 14 wherein the substantially clear, flexible material comprises PEEK.

17. ) The system of claim 14 wherein the substantially clear, flexible material comprises an ultraviolet-resistant material.

18. ) The system of claim 14 wherein the substantially clear, flexible material is coated to selectively pass specific wavelengths of light.

19. ) The system of claim 18 wherein the clear, flexible, coated material passes green light and reflects blue light.

20. ) The system of claim 19 wherein the clear, flexible, coated material passes visible light of a wavelength of about 510 nm and reflects visible light of a wavelength of about 475 nm.

21. ) The system of claim 18 wherein the clear, flexible, coated material passes blue light and reflects green light.

22. ) The system of claim 21 wherein the clear, flexible, coated material passes visible light of a wavelength of about 475 nm and reflects visible light of a wavelength of about 510 nm.

23. ) The system of claim 14 wherein the energy source comprises combustion of the biomass produced by the system.

24. ) The system of claim 14 wherein the media comprises waste-water.

25. ) The system of claim 14 wherein the microorganism comprises Chlorella sp.

26. ) The system of claim 14 wherein the microorganism comprises Pseudochlorococcum sp.

27. ) An apparatus for growing microorganisms, comprising:

a) a substantially clear, flexible, tubular vessel, wherein said vessel comprises;

i) means for introducing media to the apparatus;

ii) means for introducing at least one microorganism selected from the group consisting of Pseudochlorococcum sp., Chlorococcum sp., Chlorella sp., Scenedesmus sp., Palmellococcus sp., Cylindrospermopsis sp., and Planktothrix sp. to the culture;

iii) means for monitoring at least one parameter of the culture, selected from the group consisting of pH, temperature, O₂ concentration, CO₂ concentration, NO₃⁻

/PO₄³⁻

levels, conductivity, and turbidity; and

iv) means for harvesting at least a part of the culture when the culture exceeds at least one pre-determined parameter selected from the group consisting of;

pH, temperature, O₂ concentration, CO₂ concentration, NO₃⁻

/PO₄³⁻

levels, conductivity, and turbidity.

28. ) The system of claim 27 wherein the substantially clear, flexible material comprises polyethylene.

29. ) The system of claim 27 wherein the substantially clear, flexible material comprises PEEK.

30. ) The system of claim 27 wherein the substantially clear, flexible material comprises an ultraviolet-resistant material.

31. ) The system of claim 27 wherein the substantially clear, flexible material is coated to selectively pass specific wavelengths of light.

32. ) The system of claim 31 wherein the clear, flexible, coated material passes green light and reflects blue light.

33. ) The system of claim 32 wherein the clear, flexible, coated material passes visible light of a wavelength of about 510 nm and reflects visible light of a wavelength of about 475 nm.

34. ) The system of claim 31 wherein the clear, flexible, coated material passes blue light and reflects green light.

35. ) The system of claim 34 wherein the clear, flexible, coated material passes visible light of a wavelength of about 475 nm and reflects visible light of a wavelength of about 510 nm.

36. ) The system of claim 27 wherein the energy source comprises combustion of the biomass produced by the system.

37. ) The system of claim 27 wherein the media comprises waste-water.

38. ) The system of claim 27 wherein the microorganism comprises Chlorella sp.

39. ) The system of claim 27 wherein the microorganism comprises Pseudochlorococcum sp.