System for processing gases containing carbon dioxide

• US 5,741,702 A
• Filed: 06/21/1996
• Issued: 04/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas Lorenz
• Original Assignee: Thomas Lorenz
• Inventors: Lorenz, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Redding, David A.
• Application Number:
  US08/667,434
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 435/292.1
• US Class Current: 435/292.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/50 Carbon oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/84 Biological processes
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/02 Photobioreactors culturing algae A01G33/00, A01H4/001, C12N1/12
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/02 Form or structure of the vessel large containers B65D88/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/34 Internal compartments or partitions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/59 Biological synthesis; Biological purification

Abstract

In a system for processing gases containing carbon dioxide by means of a fluid containing algae, with a reactor vessel that can be illuminated and in which light energy is supplied to the algae, the invention proposes that the reactor vessel be designed as a plane element, with the plane element being made transparent to light on at least one of its two surfaces.

Claims

1. A reactor vessel for processing gases containing carbon dioxide by means of a fluid containing algae comprising:

a first elongated duct having a rectangular cross section with a top surface and a bottom surface for containing said gases and said fluid containing algae;

a second elongated duct, abutting said first elongated duct, having a rectangular cross section with a top surface and a bottom surface, said duct having ribs extending from said bottom surface to said top surface to form a plurality of elongated channels for insulating said first elongated duct;

wherein the channels of said second elongated duct are constructed so as to be evacuated to create a vacuum therein.

2. The reactor vessel of claim 1 wherein said top surface of said first and second ducts are permeable to light.

3. The reactor vessel of claim 1 wherein said first and second ducts are formed from a translucent material.

4. The reactor vessel of claim 1 wherein said first and second ducts are formed from a transparent material.

5. The reactor vessel of claim 1 wherein said first and second ducts are formed from polycarbonate.

6. A system for processing gases containing carbon dioxide by means of a fluid containing algae, said system comprising:

a first elongated duct having a rectangular cross section with a top surface and a bottom surface for containing said gases and said fluid containing algae;

a second elongated duct, abutting said first elongated duct, having a rectangular cross section with a top surface and a bottom surface, said duct having ribs extending from said bottom surface to said top surface to form a plurality of elongated channels for insulating said first elongated duct;

a pump for evacuating the channels of the second duct to thermally isolate the first duct.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said top surface of said first and second ducts are permeable to light.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein said first and second ducts are formed from a translucent material.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein said first and second ducts are formed from a transparent material.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein said first and second ducts are formed from polycarbonate.