SUPPLYING TREATED EXHAUST GASES FOR EFFECTING GROWTH OF PHOTOTROPHIC BIOMASS

• US 20160115439A1
• Filed: 01/08/2016
• Published: 04/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pond Technologies, Inc. (Pond Technologies Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pond Biofuels, Inc.
• Inventors: GONZALEZ, Jaime A., KOLESNIK, Max, MARTIN, Steven C.
• Granted Patent: US 11,124,751 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 33/00 Cultivation of seaweed or algae
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 14/472 Complement proteins, e.g. anaphylatoxin, C3a, C5a
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/02 Photobioreactors culturing algae A01G33/00, A01H4/001, C12N1/12
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/34 of gas
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 43/04 Bioreactors or fermenters combined with combustion devices or plants, e.g. for carbon dioxide removal C12M43/06 takes precedence; recovery of carbon dioxide C12F3/02
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/12 Unicellular algae; Culture media therefor as new plants A01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/04 Plant cells or tissues culture media C12N5/0025
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 of CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/59 Biological synthesis; Biological purification

Abstract

There is provided a process for growing a phototrophic biomass in a reaction zone. The process includes treating an operative carbon dioxide supply-comprising gaseous material feed so as to effect production of a carbon dioxide-rich product material. The carbon dioxide concentration of the carbon dioxide-rich product material is greater than the carbon dioxide concentration of the operative carbon dioxide supply-comprising gaseous material feed. Production of at least a fraction of the operative carbon dioxide supply-comprising gaseous material feed is effected by a gaseous exhaust material producing process. At least a fraction of the carbon dioxide-rich product material is supplied to the reaction zone so as to effect growth of the phototrophic biomass by photosynthesis in the reaction zone

Claims

1. A process for growing a phototrophic biomass in a reaction zone comprising:

producing carbon dioxide supply-comprising gaseous material feed with a gaseous exhaust material producing process;

effecting separation, from the carbon dioxide supply-comprising gaseous material feed, of a gaseous carbon dioxide-rich product material, wherein the carbon dioxide concentration of the carbon dioxide-rich product material is greater than the carbon dioxide concentration of the carbon dioxide supply-comprising gaseous material feed, wherein the effecting separation comprises;

contacting the carbon dioxide supply-comprising gaseous material feed with a dissolution agent, wherein the dissolution agent is water or substantially water, within a contacting zone disposed at a pressure of between 10 psia and 25 psia and at a temperature of between two (2) degrees Celsius and four (4) degrees Celsius, such that dissolution of at least a fraction of the carbon dioxide supply-comprising gaseous material feed with the dissolution agent is effected so as to effect production of a carbon dioxide-comprising liquid solution product comprising dissolved carbon dioxide; and

effecting release of the gaseous carbon dioxide-rich product material from the carbon dioxide-comprising liquid solution product feed by heating of the carbon dioxide-comprising liquid solution product; and

supplying at least a fraction of the gaseous carbon dioxide-rich product material to the reaction zone so as to effect growth of the phototrophic biomass by photosynthesis in the reaction zone.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein the carbon dioxide supply-comprising gaseous material feed comprises at least one relatively less soluble material, wherein, relative to carbon dioxide, each one of the at least one relatively less soluble material is less soluble within the operative dissolution agent, when the operative dissolution agent is disposed within the contacting zone.

22. The process of claim 1, wherein the process further comprises:

harvesting a phototrophic biomass-comprising product from the reaction zone, wherein the phototrophic biomass-comprising product comprises the phototrophic biomass and an aqueous liquid;

effecting separation of at least a fraction of the aqueous liquid from the phototrophic biomass-comprising product to produce a separated aqueous liquid; and

recycling the separated aqueous liquid to the contacting zone.

2-7. -7. (canceled)

9-21. -21. (canceled)

23. A process for growing a phototrophic biomass in a reaction zone comprising:

producing carbon dioxide supply-comprising gaseous material feed with a gaseous exhaust material producing process;

effecting separation, from the carbon dioxide supply-comprising gaseous material feed, of a gaseous carbon dioxide-rich product material, wherein the carbon dioxide concentration of the carbon dioxide-rich product material is greater than the carbon dioxide concentration of the carbon dioxide supply-comprising gaseous material feed, wherein the effecting separation comprises;

contacting the carbon dioxide supply-comprising gaseous material feed with a dissolution agent within a contacting zone, such that dissolution of at least a fraction of the carbon dioxide supply-comprising gaseous material feed with the dissolution agent is effected so as to effect production of a carbon dioxide-comprising liquid solution product comprising dissolved carbon dioxide; and

effecting release of the gaseous carbon dioxide-rich product material from the carbon dioxide-comprising liquid solution product feed by heating of the carbon dioxide-comprising liquid solution product;

supplying at least a fraction of the gaseous carbon dioxide-rich product material to the reaction zone so as to effect growth of the phototrophic biomass by photosynthesis in the reaction zone;

harvesting a phototrophic biomass-comprising product from the reaction zone, wherein the phototrophic biomass-comprising product comprises the phototrophic biomass and an aqueous liquid;

effecting separation of at least a fraction of the aqueous liquid from the phototrophic biomass-comprising product to produce a separated aqueous liquid; and

recycling the separated aqueous liquid to the contacting zone.