PHOTOBIOREACTOR

• US 20110117638A1
• Filed: 11/10/2010
• Published: 05/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: BioVantage International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: BioVantage Resources, Inc.
• Inventors: Rancis, Nicholas Arthur, Ma'ayan, Ari, Veres, Michael Edward, Donham, Matthew Edward
• Application Number:
  US12/943,911
• Publication Number:
  US 20110117638A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/292.1
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 33/00 Cultivation of seaweed or algae
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/045 with electric lighting
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/249 Lighting means with special arrangements for promoting growth A01G7/045
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/02 Photobioreactors culturing algae A01G33/00, A01H4/001, C12N1/12
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/04 for producing gas, e.g. biogas digesters for manure with production of biogas A01C3/028, biological treatment of water, waste water or sewage C02F3/00, C02F11/02, preparation of natural gas or syngas C10L3/06, C10L3/10
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/18 Open ponds; Greenhouse type or underground installations
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/58 Reaction vessels connected in series or in parallel combinations of bioreactors with other apparatus, C12M43/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 27/06 with horizontal or inclined stirrer shaft or axis
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 27/24 Draft tube C12M29/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/08 Air lift
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 31/08 by conducting or reflecting elements located inside the reactor or in its structure
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0064 Health, life-saving or fire-fighting equipment
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/40 Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/30 Semiconductor lasers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/001 the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0096 the lights guides being of the hollow type
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/80 in fisheries management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/14 Measures for saving energy, e.g. in green houses
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy

Abstract

A photobioreactor for growing algae comprises a tank for holding a volume of growth medium. A plurality of light sources are disposed either within the tank or externally to it in a manner to illuminate substantially uniformly the entire volume of growth medium when the tank is in operation. At least one draft tube is disposed within the tank, above the floor or bottom of the tank, and a diffuser for diffusing a gas stream is disposed near the bottom of the tank so that gas bubbles released from the diffuser rise to the surface of the liquid within the draft tube, thus causing fluid flow upward within the draft tube and downward outside of it, imparting a mixing or agitating motion to algae strains growing within the tank.

Claims

1. A photobioreactor for growing algae comprising

a housing having a bottom and a volume and adapted to contain a liquid growth medium,

a plurality of light pipes disposed within the housing and configured to illuminate substantially the entire volume,

at least one draft tube located within the housing, the draft tube being suspended above the bottom of the housing so that fluid can flow between the draft tube and the remaining volume of the housing,

a diffuser disposed at or near the bottom of the tank such that gas bubbles released from the diffuser rise upward within the draft tube.

2. The photobioreactor of claim 1 wherein, in operation, the top of the draft tube is maintained below the surface of the liquid growth medium within the housing, such that the rising gas bubbles entrain the growth medium and cause fluid flow between the growth medium within draft tube and the growth medium in the housing outside the draft tube.

3. The photobioreactor of claim 1 wherein the at least one draft tube is a plurality of draft tubes.

4. The photobioreactor of claim 1 wherein the tank is circular when seen in plan view.

5. The photobioreactor of claim 1 wherein the tank is rectangular when see in plan view.

6. The photobioreactor of claim 1 wherein the draft tubes are spaces formed by baffles.

7. A photobioreactor comprising

a tank having at least one clear wall and adapted to contain a volume of growth medium,

a plurality of light sources attached to the exterior of the at least one clear tank wall to illuminate substantially the entire volume,

at least one draft tube disposed within the tank, and

at least one diffuser disposed under the at least one draft tube to cause fluid flow in the growth medium when the tank is filled with growth medium.