Systems, Methods, and Media for Circulating Fluid in an Algae Cultivation Pond

• US 20100260618A1
• Filed: 06/16/2009
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aurora Algae, Incorporated (Reliance Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Aurora Algae, Incorporated (Reliance Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Smith, Jordan, Radaelli, Guido, Parsheh, Mehran, Strutner, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 8,769,867 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/178
• CPC Class Codes: F04F 5/54 Installations characterised by use of jet pumps, e.g. combinations of two or more jet pumps of different type

Abstract

Systems, methods and media for generating fluid flow in an algae cultivation pond are disclosed. Circulation of fluid in the algae cultivation pond is initiated via at least one jet. The circulation of fluid generates a velocity of fluid flow of at least ten centimeters per second in the algae cultivation pond. A head is provided to the at least one jet that overcomes a head loss associated with the velocity of fluid flow of at least ten centimeters per second in the algae cultivation pond.

Claims

1. A method for generating fluid flow in an algae cultivation pond, the method comprising:

initiating a circulation of fluid in the algae cultivation pond via at least one jet, the circulation of fluid generating a velocity of fluid flow of at least ten centimeters per second in the algae cultivation pond; and

providing a head to the at least one jet that overcomes a head loss associated with the velocity of fluid flow of at least ten centimeters per second in the algae cultivation pond.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating circulation of fluid in the algae cultivation pond includes generating a velocity of twenty centimeters per second in the algae cultivation pond.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating circulation of fluid in the algae cultivation pond includes providing to the jet less than eight percent of a flow in a cross-section of the algae cultivation pond.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the jet is sourced from a submerged nozzle in the algae cultivation pond.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating circulation of fluid in the algae cultivation pond via at least one jet includes generating two or more jets.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the two or more jets form an array of jets.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a depth of the jet from a surface of the algae cultivation pond is approximately in a middle of a flow depth of the algae cultivation pond.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the depth of the jet from the surface of the algae cultivation pond is between twenty and thirty centimeters.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

measuring the velocity of the fluid flow in the algae cultivation pond; and

adjusting the head generated by the jet.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein a nozzle from which the jet is issued includes a laminar boundary layer.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating an entrainment of a flow in the algae cultivation pond into the jet.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein initiating an entrainment of a flow in the algae cultivation pond is via a plurality of vortices.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the head generated by the jet initiates circulation of a co-flow in the algae cultivation pond.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising maximizing an efficiency of the jet based on a jet flow and the co-flow in the algae cultivation pond.

15. A system for generating fluid flow via a jet in an algae cultivation pond, the system comprising:

at least two submerged jets configured to initiate circulation of fluid in an algae cultivation pond, such that a head generated by the at least two jets overcomes a head loss of the algae cultivation pond when a velocity of the fluid flow in the algae cultivation pond is at least ten centimeters per second.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least two jets form an array of jets.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein a number of jets forming the array of jets is determined based on one of flow depth of the algae cultivation pond, a desired distance between two jets of the array of jets, a cross section of a nozzle outlet associated with a jet of the array of jets, a velocity of a flow in the algae cultivation pond, and any combination thereof.

18. A system for generating fluid flow via a jet in an algae cultivation pond, the system comprising:

a series of nozzles submerged below a surface of an algae cultivation pond, the series of nozzles coupled to a pressurized fluid source;

a processor; and

a computer-readable storage medium having embodied thereon a program executable by the processor to perform a method for generating fluid flow in an algae cultivation pond, wherein the computer-readable storage medium is coupled to the processor and the pressurized fluid source, the processor executing the instructions on the computer-readable storage medium to;

measure a velocity of fluid flow in the algae cultivation pond, and

adjust an energy generated by the pressurized fluid source.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the method executed by the processor further comprises:

initiating a circulation of fluid in the algae cultivation pond via at least one jet, the circulation of fluid generating a velocity of fluid flow of at least ten centimeters per second in the algae cultivation pond; and

providing a head to the jet that overcomes a head loss associated with the velocity of fluid flow of at least ten centimeters per second in the algae cultivation pond.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein a distance between two nozzles of the series of nozzles is approximately thirty centimeters.

21. (canceled)