Method for growing a biomass in a closed tubular system

• US 4,473,970 A
• Filed: 07/21/1982
• Issued: 10/02/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christopher B. Hills
• Original Assignee: Christopher B. Hills
• Inventors: Hills, Christopher B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEMILLE, DANTON D
• Application Number:
  US06/400,294
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 47/1.4, 47/58, 55/107, 55/110, 55/155
• US Class Current: 47/1.4
• 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 23/06 Tubular C12M23/08, C12M23/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/24 Recirculation of gas
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 47/02 Separating microorganisms from the culture medium; Concentration of biomass separating microorganisms from their culture media C12N1/02
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 47/14 Drying
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/12 Unicellular algae; Culture media therefor as new plants A01H13/00

Abstract

The present invention is an improved method of growing a biomass in an aquaculture medium comprising enclosing the aquaculture medium containing seed amounts of a biomass in an enclosure in which the medium containing the biomass fills one-half of the enclosure and a CO₂ and air gaseous layer is above the medium and fills the other one half, growing the biomass in the medium within the enclosure in a predetermined growing cycle enhancing growth of the biomass in the medium by exposing it to continuous agitation by agitation means heat, by heating means, and illumination by a light source capable of causing photosynthesis in the biomass, and whereby CO₂ consumed from the medium and gaseous layer during photosynthesis in the biomass is continuously replenished by a CO₂ enrichment means and oxygen produced to the medium and gaseous layer during photosynthesis is extracted by extraction means.

Claims

1. An improved method of growing a biomass in an aquaculture medium comprising the steps of:

(1) seeding an aquaculture medium with a desired biomass;

(2) placing the seeded medium in a sealed enclosure to partially fill the enclosure;

(3) simultaneously bubbling carbon dioxide into the seeded medium while placing it into the enclosure;

(4) filling the remainder of the enclosure with air and carbon dioxide to form a gaseous layer over the seeded medium;

(5) continuously agitating the medium containing the biomass while in the enclosure;

(6) providing a light source for the biomass for causing photosynthesis in the biomass;

(7) removing a portion of the medium from the enclosure;

(8) placing an electrical charge on the removed portion of the medium;

(9) spraying the charged medium in an electrostatic chamber with a dielectric disposed on the walls and said chamber having carbon dioxide and oxygen atmosphere;

(10) polarizing the carbon dioxide and oxygen molecules oppositely;

(11) attracting and combining carbon dioxide molecules to spray droplets of the charged medium and forming carbon dioxide enriched medium;

(12) replacing the carbon dioxide enriched medium to the enclosure;

(13) repelling the oxygen molecules by the spray droplets of the charged medium;

(14) extracting the oxygen molecules and uncombined carbon dioxide molecules from the chamber;

(15) continuing steps 5 through 14, inclusive, until the growing cycle of the biomass is completed; and

(16) removing the grown biomass from the enclosure for harvesting.

2. The improved method according to claim 1 wherein the carbon dioxide and oxygen atmosphere polarized in the electrostatic chamber is removed from the gaseous layer above the medium in the enclosure.

3. The improved method according to claim 1 wherein the extracted oxygen molecules and uncombined carbon dioxide molecules are directed to a carbon dioxide producing means and carbon dioxide produced in said means is bubbled into the enclosure.

4. The improved method according to claim 3 wherein the carbon dioxide is scrubbed prior to being bubbled into the enclosure.

5. The improved method according to claim 1 wherein heat is provided to the enclosure and medium by a heating means to enhance growth of the biomass.

6. The improved method according to claim 5 wherein the heating means includes an external heat source that heats the medium and enclosure by a conduction method.

7. The improved method according to claim 5 wherein the heating means includes radiant solar energy.

8. The improved method according to claim 1 wherein the enclosure is polyethylene tubing.

9. The improved method according to claim 8 wherein ends of the tubing engage the agitation means and the tubing and agitate means define a closed loop.

10. The improved method according to claim 9 wherein the agitation means includes at least one pump.

11. The improved method according to claim 8 wherein the tubing is arranged in a spiral pattern.

12. The improved method according to claim 8 wherein the tubing is arranged in a zig-zag pattern.

13. The improved method according to claim 1 wherein the gaseous layer above the medium in the enclosure is approximately 10% to 14% carbon dioxide and 90% to 86% air.

14. The improved method according to claim 1 wherein the light source is radiant solar energy.

15. The improved method according to claim 1 wherein the light source is artificial light capable of causing photosynthesis in the biomass.

16. The improved method according to claim 1 wherein the aquaculture medium has a pH level between 9.5 and 11.