Bioremediation System and Methods

• US 20110120944A1
• Filed: 11/10/2010
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: BioVantage International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: BioVantage Resources, Inc.
• Inventors: MA'AYAN, Ari, DONHAM, Matthew Edward, RANCIS, Nicholas Arthur, VERES, Michael Edward
• Application Number:
  US12/943,901
• Publication Number:
  US 20110120944A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/602
• 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

Algae-based bioremediation systems and methods in which algae is grown in a photobioreactor with nutrients supplied from a nutrient system. An effluent stream in need of remediation is ported to a pond or lagoon and the lagoon is inoculated repetitively with algae grown in the photobioreactor. In an embodiment, a first stage comprises an anaerobic digester which generates combustible gas that can be burned to generate at least a portion of the gas and electricity needed to operate some or all of the nutrient system, the photobioreactor and the lagoon or pond. In some embodiments, the pond or lagoon is multiphasic, and comprises anaerobic and aerobic remediation zones.

Claims

1. A bioremediation system comprising

a photobioreactor for supplying selected strains of algae,

a nutrient system for supplying sufficient growth medium to the photobioreactor to enable continuous growth of the selected strains of algae,

a multiphasic remediation lagoon or pond adapted to receive organic waste for remediation and also to receive, from the photobioreactor, inoculations of the selected strains of algae.

2. The bioremediation system of claim 1 wherein the multiphasic pond comprises at least an anaerobic zone and an aerobic zone, and means for creating substantially consistent directional fluid flow within the pond.

3. The bioremediation system of claim 1 wherein the substantially consistent directional fluid flow is created by a paddlewheel.

4. The bioremediation system of claim 1 further comprising a feedback loop for adjust the amounts of algae provided by a subsequent inoculation.

5. The bioremediation system of claim 1 wherein the nutrient system comprises a control system for metering the supply of selected nutrients to facilitate algae growth in the photobioreactor.

6. A method for remediating waste streams comprising

providing an anaerobic digester region for performing a first remediation step, the anaerobic digester generating combustible gas and an effluent stream,

combusting the gas to generate heat, electricity, and CO₂,

supplying a portion of the heat, electricity and CO₂ generated by the combusting step to a photobioreactor,

supplying another portion of the heat, electricity and CO₂ generated by the combusting step to a multiphasic pond,

supplying to the multiphasic pond the effluent stream and dense algae produced by the photobioreactor.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the photobioreactor comprises a plurality of light pipes arranged within a tank for growing algae throughout the volume of the tank.