Method and apparatus for CO 2 sequestration
First Claim
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1. A system for removing CO2 from air using algae, the system comprising:
- a culture tank for a suspension of algae in a liquid;
a bioreactor in fluid communication with the culture tank to absorb CO2 and grow the algae, the bioreactor having a plurality of translucent, substantially horizontal channels therethrough in an alternating horizontal arrangement from top to bottom of the bioreactor and vertical end channels connecting adjacent substantially horizontal channels to form a continuous flow path for the suspension from the top of the bioreactor to the bottom of the bioreactor, the enclosed horizontal channels and end channels being made from a flexible polymeric material and the bioreactor being adapted to be hung vertically for gravity flow of the suspension through the continuous flow path;
a monitor determining the growth of the algae in the channels and adjusting a parameter of the suspension of algae to maintain a predetermined range of the parameter;
a separator to separate grown algae; and
an extractor to extract biomaterials from the grown algae.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for growing algae for sequestering carbon dioxide and then harvesting the algae includes a container for a suspension of algae in a liquid and a bioreactor having a translucent channel in fluid communication with the container to absorb CO2 and grow the algae. A monitor determines the growth of the algae in the channel. A separator separates the grown algae from the suspension and an extractor extracts biomaterials from the grown algae.
24 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A system for removing CO2 from air using algae, the system comprising:
- a culture tank for a suspension of algae in a liquid;
a bioreactor in fluid communication with the culture tank to absorb CO2 and grow the algae, the bioreactor having a plurality of translucent, substantially horizontal channels therethrough in an alternating horizontal arrangement from top to bottom of the bioreactor and vertical end channels connecting adjacent substantially horizontal channels to form a continuous flow path for the suspension from the top of the bioreactor to the bottom of the bioreactor, the enclosed horizontal channels and end channels being made from a flexible polymeric material and the bioreactor being adapted to be hung vertically for gravity flow of the suspension through the continuous flow path;
a monitor determining the growth of the algae in the channels and adjusting a parameter of the suspension of algae to maintain a predetermined range of the parameter;
a separator to separate grown algae; and
an extractor to extract biomaterials from the grown algae. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
- a culture tank for a suspension of algae in a liquid;
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25. An apparatus for sequestrating CO2 comprising:
- a translucent bioreactor having a generally planar configuration, hanging vertically and having a single downwardly extending flow path therethrough for the continuous gravity flow of a suspension containing algae in the presence of light from an inlet at a top of the bio-reactor to an outlet at a bottom of the bioreactor; and
the single flow path including a channel including a plurality of adjacent generally horizontal linear portions connected by a generally vertical connecting portion, the generally vertical connecting portion having a cross-section smaller than a cross-section of the plurality of generally horizontal linear portions, the plurality of generally horizontal linear portions being in an alternating arrangement from top to bottom of the bioreactor. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
- a translucent bioreactor having a generally planar configuration, hanging vertically and having a single downwardly extending flow path therethrough for the continuous gravity flow of a suspension containing algae in the presence of light from an inlet at a top of the bio-reactor to an outlet at a bottom of the bioreactor; and
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29. An apparatus for growing algae, comprising:
- a plurality of bioreactors, each vertically disposed on a support and each having a top and a bottom, the bioreactors each having a plurality of translucent, substantially horizontal channels connected together by vertical end channels to form a continuous flow path from the top to the bottom of the bioreactor for flowing an algae suspension therethrough;
the support extending across the top of the bioreactor;
an agitation means configured to agitate the bioreactor to alter the flow of the algae suspension as it flows through the channels; and
a harvester to remove the algae from the algae suspension. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
- a plurality of bioreactors, each vertically disposed on a support and each having a top and a bottom, the bioreactors each having a plurality of translucent, substantially horizontal channels connected together by vertical end channels to form a continuous flow path from the top to the bottom of the bioreactor for flowing an algae suspension therethrough;
Specification