Algae cultivation systems and methods
First Claim
1. An algae cultivation system comprising:
- a cultivation tank;
a plurality of light transmitting elements configured to be at least partially submerged in a liquid medium disposed within the cultivation tank, wherein the light transmitting elements increase the effective surface area of the liquid medium exposed to light;
a plurality of gas injectors configured to emit gas into the liquid medium; and
cap members disposed on top of the light transmitting elements, the cap members configured to concentrate light into the body of the light transmitting elements.
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Abstract
An algae cultivation system and method. In an embodiment, an algae cultivation system is included. The algae cultivation system can include a cultivation tank, a plurality of light transmitting elements configured to be at least partially submerged in a liquid medium disposed within the cultivation tank, wherein the light transmitting elements increase the effective surface area of the liquid medium exposed to light, and a plurality of gas injectors configured to emit gas into the liquid medium. In an embodiment a method of culturing algae is included. The method can include measuring the amount of carbon dioxide in a cultivation system and modulating the amount of light being supplied to the cultivation system based on the measured amount of carbon dioxide. In an embodiment, a method of culturing algae can include measuring the amount of light being input into a cultivation system and modulating the amount of carbon dioxide being supplied to the cultivation system based on the measured amount of light. Other embodiments are also described herein.
32 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An algae cultivation system comprising:
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a cultivation tank; a plurality of light transmitting elements configured to be at least partially submerged in a liquid medium disposed within the cultivation tank, wherein the light transmitting elements increase the effective surface area of the liquid medium exposed to light; a plurality of gas injectors configured to emit gas into the liquid medium; and cap members disposed on top of the light transmitting elements, the cap members configured to concentrate light into the body of the light transmitting elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An algae cultivation system comprising:
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a cultivation tank; a plurality of light transmitting elements configured to be at least partially submerged in a liquid medium disposed within the cultivation tank, wherein the light transmitting elements increase the effective surface area of the liquid medium exposed to light; a plurality of gas injectors configured to emit gas into the liquid medium; a frame interconnecting a plurality of the light transmitting elements and suspending them within the liquid medium, wherein the frame is configured to move with respect to the cultivation tank in order to lift the light transmitting elements out of the liquid medium; and a carbon dioxide sensor, the system configured to modulate the amount of light input into the cultivation tank based on data from the carbon dioxide sensor.
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12. An algae cultivation system comprising:
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a cultivation tank; a plurality of light transmitting elements configured to be at least partially submerged in a liquid medium disposed within the cultivation tank, wherein the light transmitting elements increase the effective surface area of the liquid medium exposed to light; a plurality of gas injectors configured to emit gas into the liquid medium; and an iris mechanism disposed on the light transmitting elements.
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13. An algae cultivation system comprising:
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a cultivation tank; a plurality of light transmitting elements configured to be at least partially submerged in a liquid medium disposed within the cultivation tank, wherein the light transmitting elements increase the effective surface area of the liquid medium exposed to light; a plurality of gas injectors configured to emit gas into the liquid medium; and a light sensor, the system configured to modulate the amount of carbon dioxide input into the cultivation tank based on data from the light sensor.
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14. An algae cultivation system comprising:
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a cultivation tank; a plurality of light transmitting elements configured to be at least partially submerged in a liquid medium disposed within the cultivation tank, wherein the light transmitting elements increase the effective surface area of the liquid medium exposed to light; a plurality of gas injectors configured to emit gas into the liquid medium; and the light transmitting elements having an exterior surface comprising surface features configured to increase turbulence in the liquid medium as gas bubbles released from the gas injectors pass by, the surface features comprising a plurality of grooves.
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Specification