Photobioreactors, Solar Energy Gathering Systems, And Thermal Control Methods
First Claim
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1. A photobioreactor comprising:
- (a) a reactor chamber for enclosing a phototrophic microorganism and culture medium therefor;
(b) a heat energy system; and
(c) thermal control layer;
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, and the thermal control layer provides the controllable thermal contact.
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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 phototrophic 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
53 Claims
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1. A photobioreactor comprising:
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(a) a reactor chamber for enclosing a phototrophic microorganism and culture medium therefor; (b) a heat energy system; and (c) thermal control layer; 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, and the thermal control layer provides the controllable thermal contact. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17)
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2-5. -5. (canceled)
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14. (canceled)
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18-22. -22. (canceled)
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23. A solar energy gathering system comprising:
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(a) a photobioreactor comprising; (i) a reactor chamber for enclosing a phototrophic microorganism and culture medium therefor; and (ii) a heat exchange chamber for containing a heat exchange fluid; wherein the reactor chamber and heat exchange chamber are in controllable thermal contact; (b) a cooling device adapted for controlled cooling of the heat exchange fluid; wherein at least part of the reactor chamber is transparent for light of a wavelength that is photosynthetically active in the phototrophic microorganism.
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24-45. -45. (canceled)
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46. A method for thermal control of a culture medium containing a phototrophic organism 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. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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53-96. -96. (canceled)
Specification