Biomass production and processing and methods of use thereof
First Claim
1. A method of producing macroalgae comprising growing the macroalgae in an open pond system comprising a saltwater growth medium having a pH of at least about 7.5, a calcium content of at least about 500 mg/L, and a content of sodium and chlorine such that the ratio of the combination of sodium and chlorine to the calcium in the saltwater growth medium is greater than 0 but less than about 50.
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods and systems for the production of macroalgae in a manner to provide a sustained, economical source of biomass that may be used in various end-use processes, including energy production. The invention provides specific combinations of macroalgae types, saltwater growth medium compositions, and open pond water containers that results in biomass production beyond what may occur naturally without the required manipulation. Specifically, macroalgae that produce an exoskeleton in the presence of brackish water (e.g., stoneworts) have been found to provide excellent biomass production under the conditions of the invention.
93 Citations
65 Claims
- 1. A method of producing macroalgae comprising growing the macroalgae in an open pond system comprising a saltwater growth medium having a pH of at least about 7.5, a calcium content of at least about 500 mg/L, and a content of sodium and chlorine such that the ratio of the combination of sodium and chlorine to the calcium in the saltwater growth medium is greater than 0 but less than about 50.
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40. A method of producing macroalgae comprising:
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(a) growing a soil-rooting, exoskeleton-forming macroalgae in an open pond system such that the macroalgae comprise an organic plant portion and an inorganic calcium carbonate-containing exoskeleton portion; (b) harvesting the macroalgae; and (c) separating the exoskeleton portion from the plant portion of the macroalgae. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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Specification