Systems and methods for maintaining the dominance and increasing the biomass production of nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system

• US 8,143,051 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2009
• Issued: 03/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aurora Algae, Incorporated (Reliance Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Aurora Algae, Incorporated (Reliance Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Weissman, Joseph, Radaelli, Guido, Rice, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Fox, David T
• Application Number:
  US12/322,668
• Publication Number:
  US 20100196995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 435/257.1
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/12 Unicellular algae; Culture media therefor as new plants A01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/42 Ozonizers

Abstract

Systems and methods for maintaining the dominance and increasing the biomass production of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system are provided. Exemplary methods include applying an effective amount of ozone to Nannochloropsis growing in an algae cultivation system. A further method may include applying a shock amount of ozone above 10 milligrams/liter or higher in the inlet stream flowing into the algae cultivation system. Various exemplary embodiments may include a system for maintaining dominance and increasing the biomass production of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system. The system may comprise a processor, and a computer readable storage medium having instructions for execution by the processor. The instructions for execution by the processor cause the processor to maintain dominance and increase biomass production of the Nannochloropsis in the algae cultivation system.

Claims

1. A method for maintaining dominance and increasing biomass production of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system, the method comprising:

diverting a volume of culture from the algae cultivation system, the volume including the Nannochloropsis and the volume circulating back into the algae cultivation system via an inlet stream; and

applying an effective amount of ozone to the inlet stream of the algae cultivation system, the effective amount of the ozone resulting in an approximate initial concentration of between 0.5 milligrams/liter and 10 milligrams/liter of ozone in the inlet stream flowing into the algae cultivation system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the inlet stream further comprises an invader.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the inlet stream further comprises a predator.

4. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising visually observing the algae cultivation system for a presence of predators or invaders.

5. The method of claim 4, the method further comprising applying the effective amount of the ozone if the presence of predators or invaders appears to challenge dominance of the Nannochloropsis growing in the algae cultivation system.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the algae cultivation system includes seawater.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the algae cultivation system includes fresh water.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the algae cultivation system includes a mixture of seawater and fresh water.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the algae cultivation system is in a photobioreactor.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the algae cultivation system is in an open pond.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the algae cultivation system is in an open vessel.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the algae cultivation system is in a closed vessel.