ALGAE GROWTH SYSTEM

• US 20120288917A1
• Filed: 07/31/2009
• Published: 11/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Algae-Tech Limited
• Original Assignee: Algae-Tech Limited
• Inventors: Krenbrink, David Dean, Hoevers, Hendrik Joseph Karel
• Granted Patent: US 9,688,951 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/257.1
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/02 Photobioreactors culturing algae A01G33/00, A01H4/001, C12N1/12
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/18 Open ponds; Greenhouse type or underground installations
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/34 Internal compartments or partitions
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 27/06 with horizontal or inclined stirrer shaft or axis
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 31/10 by light emitting elements located inside the reactor, e.g. LED or OLED
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 33/00 Means for introduction, transport, positioning, extraction, harvesting, peeling or sampling of biological material in or from the apparatus chemical or physical laboratory apparatus in general B01L, devices for taking cell samples A61B10/0045, withdrawing or distributing predetermined quantities of fluid B01L99/00

Abstract

The invention includes a bioreactor system for growing a photosynthetic culture in an aqueous liquid and harvesting the photosynthetic culture. The present invention further relates to a method for growing a photosynthetic culture in an aqueous liquid and harvesting the photosynthetic culture. The present invention further relates to a use of a harvester system arranged to collect at least part of the scooped photosynthetic culture in a photo bioreactor system.

Claims

1. A photo bioreactor system for growing a photosynthetic culture in an aqueous liquid and harvesting the photosynthetic culture, the photo bioreactor system comprising:

a. a vessel arranged to contain the aqueous liquid;

b. a lighting system, arranged to be at least partially submerged in the aqueous liquid, and arranged to irradiate the photosynthetic culture below the surface of the aqueous liquid; and

c. a harvester system comprising a scoop construction comprising a scoop, arranged to scoop at least part of the photosynthetic culture from the aqueous liquid, and a collector system, arranged to collect at least part of the scooped photosynthetic culture.

2. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 1, wherein the photo bioreactor system comprises a controlled and/or closed environment, such as a greenhouse enclosing the vessel.

3. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 1, wherein the lighting system comprises a light source arranged to irradiate the photosynthetic culture below the surface of the aqueous liquid.

4. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 3, wherein the lighting system comprises a reflector arranged to reflect light of the light sources below the surface of the aqueous liquid into the aqueous liquid.

5. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 4, wherein the reflector is arranged to rotate during use of the photo bioreactor system.

6. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 1, wherein the scoop comprises a sieve, arranged to scoop a predetermined fraction of the photosynthetic culture.

7. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 6, wherein the scoop comprises meshes, and wherein the meshes have a mesh size in the range of about 0.5-35 μ

m.

8. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 1, wherein the scoop construction comprises a paddle wheel construction comprising at least one paddle, wherein the paddle comprises the scoop, and wherein the scoop construction is arranged to move the scoop between a position above the surface of the aqueous liquid and a position below the aqueous liquid.

9. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 8, wherein the scoop construction is arranged to rotate the scoop.

10. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 1, wherein the harvester system further comprises a harvester transporter, arranged to allow the scoop construction scoop at different positions in the aqueous liquid.

11. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 10, wherein the transporter comprises a rail.

12. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 1, wherein the harvesting system comprises a cleaning unit arranged to clean the lighting system.

13. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 1, wherein the collector system further comprises a product transporter, arranged to transport the collected scooped photosynthetic culture to a storage unit.

14. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 1, further comprising a dryer, arranged to dry the collected scooped photosynthetic culture.

15. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 8, wherein the collector system is arranged to receive the scooped photosynthetic culture dropping from the scoop.

16. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 1, wherein the harvester system is further arranged to create turbulence in the aqueous liquid.

17. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 1, further comprising a CO₂-applicator to supply CO₂ to the aqueous liquid.

18. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 1, further comprising a flow enhancement system comprising a flow enhancement body provided with a profile for engaging the aqueous liquid for increasing turbulence in the aqueous liquid.

19. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 1, the preceding claims, wherein the lighting system comprises a lighting panel comprising (a) transparent sidewalls forming a compartment, the compartment containing a light source for lighting the algae, and (b) coupling means for accommodating the lighting panel in a wall comprising coupled light panels.

20. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 1, further comprising a flow enhancement system, comprising a flow enhancement body provided with a profile for engaging the aqueous liquid for increasing turbulence in the aqueous liquid.

21. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 20, wherein the flow enhancement system comprises a funnel type system comprising an inlet for liquid and an inlet for a nutrient, and an outlet for the liquid and the nutrient.

22. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 20, wherein the flow enhancement system comprising an obstacle, arranged in the vessel.

23. The photo bioreactor system according to claim 22, wherein the obstacle is arranged in line with the outlet of the funnel type system.

24. A lighting panel for the lighting system of the photo bioreactor system according to claim 1, comprising (a) transparent sidewalls forming a compartment, the compartment containing a light source for lighting the algae, and (b) coupling means for accommodating the lighting panel in a wall comprising coupled light panels.

25. A controlled and/or closed environment, such as a greenhouse, comprising the photo bioreactor system according to claim 1.

26. A method for growing a photosynthetic culture in an aqueous liquid and harvesting the photosynthetic culture, the method comprising:

a. providing the aqueous liquid comprising the photosynthetic culture;

b. irradiate the photosynthetic culture below the surface of the aqueous liquid;

c. scooping at least part of the photosynthetic culture from the aqueous liquid, and

d. collecting at least part of the scooped photosynthetic culture.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein a photo bioreactor system is applied, the photo bioreactor system comprising:

a. a vessel arranged to contain the aqueous liquid;

b. a lighting system, arranged to be at least partially submerged in the aqueous liquid, and arranged to irradiate the photosynthetic culture below the surface of the aqueous liquid; and

c. a harvester system comprising a scoop construction comprising a scoop, arranged to scoop at least part of the photosynthetic culture from the aqueous liquid, and a collector system, arranged to collect at least part of the scooped photosynthetic culture.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein the method is applied within a controlled and/or closed environment, such as a greenhouse.

29. Use of a harvester system comprising a scoop construction comprising a scoop, arranged to scoop at least part of a photosynthetic culture from an aqueous liquid, and a collector system, arranged to collect at least part of the scooped photosynthetic culture, in a photo bioreactor system for growing the photosynthetic culture in the aqueous liquid, for creating turbulence in the aqueous liquid and for harvesting at least part of the photosynthetic culture.

30-93. -93. (canceled)