Systems and methods for maintaining the dominance of nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system

• US 20100183744A1
• Filed: 01/22/2009
• Published: 07/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aurora Algae, Incorporated (Reliance Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Aurora Algae, Incorporated (Reliance Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Weissman, Joseph, Radaelli, Guido
• Granted Patent: US 8,940,340 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/665
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/00 Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators, characterised by their forms, or by their non-active ingredients or by their methods of application , e.g. seed treatment or sequential application; Substances for reducing the noxious effect of the active ingredients to organisms other than pests
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 59/00 Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing elements or inorganic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/12 Unicellular algae; Culture media therefor as new plants A01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/649 Biodiesel, i.e. fatty acid alkyl esters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel

Abstract

Systems and methods for maintaining the dominance of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system are provided. Exemplary methods include applying an effective amount of a disinfectant to Nannochloropsis growing in an algae cultivation system. Another method for maintaining the dominance of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system includes adjusting a salinity in the algae cultivation system to between approximately 0.5 PPT and 28 PPT. In a further method, temperature of the algae cultivation system may be adjusted to between approximately 21 and 32 degrees Celsius (“° C.”). According to yet another method for maintaining the dominance of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system, a salinity in the algae cultivation system may be adjusted to below that of seawater for a first predetermined period of time, and then the salinity in the algae cultivation system may be adjusted to a higher salinity for a second predetermined period of time.

Claims

1. A method for maintaining dominance of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system, the method comprising:

applying an effective amount of a disinfectant to the algae cultivation system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the disinfectant is sodium hypochlorite.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the effective amount of sodium hypochlorite results in an approximate initial concentration of between 0.1 milligrams/liter and 40 milligrams/liter of sodium hypochlorite in the algae cultivation system.

4. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

visually observing the algae cultivation system for a presence of a predator or a competing algae species.

5. The method of claim 4, the method further comprising:

applying the effective amount of the disinfectant if the presence of the predator or the competing algae species appears to challenge the dominance of Nannochloropsis growing in the algae cultivation system.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the effective amount is a shock amount of sodium hypochlorite that results in an approximate initial concentration of between 40 milligrams/liter and 80 milligrams/liter or above of sodium hypochlorite in the algae cultivation system.

7. A method for maintaining dominance of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system, the method comprising:

adjusting a salinity in the algae cultivation system to between approximately 0.5 PPT and 28 PPT.

8. The method of claim 7, the method further comprising:

adjusting a temperature within the algae cultivation system to between approximately 21°

C. and 32°

C.

9. The method of claim 7, the method further comprising:

applying an effective amount of a disinfectant to the algae cultivation system.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the disinfectant is sodium hypochlorite.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the effective amount of the sodium hypochlorite results in an approximate initial concentration of between 0.1 milligrams/liter and 40 milligrams/liter of sodium hypochlorite in the algae cultivation system.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the effective amount of the sodium hypochlorite is a shock amount that results in an approximate initial concentration of between 40 milligrams/liter and 80 milligrams/liter or above of sodium hypochlorite in the algae cultivation system.

13. A method for maintaining dominance of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system, the method comprising:

adjusting a salinity in the algae cultivation system to below that of seawater for a first predetermined period of time; and

increasing the salinity in the algae cultivation system while maintaining the salinity below 45 PPT for a second predetermined period of time.

14. The method of claim 13, the method further comprising:

applying an effective amount of a disinfectant to the algae cultivation system.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the disinfectant is sodium hypochlorite.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the effective amount of the sodium hypochlorite results in an approximate initial concentration of between 0.1 milligrams/liter and 40 milligrams/liter of sodium hypochlorite in the algae cultivation system.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the effective amount of the sodium hypochlorite is a shock amount that results in an approximate initial concentration of between 40 milligrams/liter and 80 milligrams/liter or above of sodium hypochlorite in the algae cultivation system.

18. The method of claim 13, the method further comprising:

adjusting a temperature within the algae cultivation system to between approximately 21°

C. and 32°

C.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the algae cultivation system includes seawater.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the algae cultivation system includes fresh water.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the algae cultivation system includes a mixture of seawater and fresh water.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the algae cultivation system is in a photobioreactor.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein the algae cultivation system is in an open pond.

24. The method of claim 13, wherein the algae cultivation system is in an open vessel.

25. The method of claim 13, wherein the algae cultivation system is in a closed vessel.

26. A system for maintaining dominance of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system, the system comprising:

a processor;

a computer readable storage medium having instructions for execution by the processor which causes the processor to maintain dominance of the Nannochloropsis in the algae cultivation system;

wherein the processor is connected to the computer readable storage medium, the processor executing the instructions on the computer readable storage medium to;

adjust a salinity in the algae cultivation system to approximately 0.5-10 PPT for a first predetermined period of time; and

adjust the salinity in the algae cultivation system to approximately 20-45 PPT for a second predetermined period of time.

27. A method for reducing fouling of an algae cultivation system, the method comprising:

adjusting a salinity in the algae cultivation system to between approximately 0.5 PPT and 12 PPT.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the fouling includes sedimentation at a bottom of the algae cultivation system.

29. A method for reducing fouling of an algae cultivation system actively growing algae having a low salinity tolerance to salinities between approximately 0.5 PPT and 12 PPT, and a high salinity tolerance to salinities between approximately 35 PPT and 45 PPT, the method comprising:

adjusting a salinity in the algae cultivation system to between approximately 0.5 PPT and 12 PPT for a period of time.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the algae is Nannochloropsis.

31. A method for extending an upper range of temperature tolerance of Nannochloropsis, the method comprising:

adjusting a salinity in the algae cultivation system to between approximately 0.5 PPT and 12 PPT for a period of time.