Photobioreactors, Solar Energy Gathering Systems, And Thermal Control Methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A photobioreactor comprising:
- (a) a reactor chamber for enclosing a phototrophic microorganism for the production of a fuel or carbon-based product and culture medium therefor;
(b) a heat energy system;
wherein at least part of the reactor chamber is transparent for light of a wavelength that is photosynthetically active in the phototrophic microorganism, and the reactor chamber and heat energy system are in controllable thermal contact;
(c) thermal control layer, wherein the thermal control layer provides the controllable thermal contact; and
wherein the thermal control layer comprises an enclosure for containing a fluid.
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Abstract
The present invention provides photobioreactors, solar energy gathering systems, and methods for thermal control of a culture medium containing a prototrophic organism in a photobioreactor, that allow temperature control in a cost effective manner, reducing the energy required for temperature control of a culture medium containing phototrophic microorganisms in a photobioreactor.
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Citations
94 Claims
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1. A photobioreactor comprising:
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(a) a reactor chamber for enclosing a phototrophic microorganism for the production of a fuel or carbon-based product and culture medium therefor; (b) a heat energy system; wherein at least part of the reactor chamber is transparent for light of a wavelength that is photosynthetically active in the phototrophic microorganism, and the reactor chamber and heat energy system are in controllable thermal contact; (c) thermal control layer, wherein the thermal control layer provides the controllable thermal contact; and
wherein the thermal control layer comprises an enclosure for containing a fluid. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 89, 90, 92, 93)
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2-7. -7. (canceled)
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11. (canceled)
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13. (canceled)
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15-45. -45. (canceled)
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46. A method for thermal control of a culture medium containing a phototrophic organism for the production of a fuel or carbon-based product in a photobioreactor comprising:
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(a) measuring the temperature of the culture medium contained in a reactor chamber of the photobioreactor, the reactor chamber being positioned substantially horizontally to provide a headspace above the liquid culture;
wherein at least part of the reactor chamber is transparent for light of a wavelength that is photosynthetically active in the phototrophic microorganism;(b) measuring the temperature of a heat exchange liquid contained in a heat exchange chamber, the heat exchange chamber and the reactor chamber being structurally coupled to a thermal control layer, the thermal control layer being positioned between the heat exchange chamber and the reactor chamber;
wherein the thermal control layer is adapted to contain a fluid;(c) determining if a change in thermal contact between the reactor chamber and the heat exchange chamber is desired; and (d) changing fluid presence in the thermal control layer if a change in thermal contact is desired;
wherein changing the fluid presence comprises inflating the thermal control layer with a gas, if reduced thermal contact between the heat exchange chamber and the reactor chamber and, therefore, reduced heat exchange between the culture medium and the heat exchange liquid is desired. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50)
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47. (canceled)
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51-81. -81. (canceled)
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82. A photobioreactor comprising:
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(a) a reactor chamber for enclosing a phototrophic microorganism for the production of a fuel or carbon-based product and culture medium therefor; and (b) a heat energy system; wherein at least part of the reactor chamber is transparent for light of a wavelength that is photosynthetically active in the phototrophic microorganism, and the reactor chamber and heat energy system are in controllable thermal contact;
wherein the controllable thermal contact is provided by an inflatable thermal control layer. - View Dependent Claims (83, 84, 85, 86, 87)
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88. (canceled)
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91. (canceled)
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94-96. -96. (canceled)
Specification