Systems and methods for maintaining the dominance of;in an algae cultivation system

• US 8,940,340 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2009
• Issued: 01/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2009
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Kwon, Brian-Yong
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stevens, Mark V
• Application Number:
  US12/321,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20100183744A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,196 Days
• US Class Current: 424/665
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/00 Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators, characterised by their forms, or by their non-active ingredients or by their methods of application , e.g. seed treatment or sequential application; Substances for reducing the noxious effect of the active ingredients to organisms other than pests
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 59/00 Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing elements or inorganic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/12 Unicellular algae; Culture media therefor as new plants A01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/649 Biodiesel, i.e. fatty acid alkyl esters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel

Abstract

Systems and methods for maintaining the dominance of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system are provided. Exemplary methods include applying an effective amount of a disinfectant to Nannochloropsis growing in an algae cultivation system. Another method for maintaining the dominance of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system includes adjusting a salinity in the algae cultivation system to between approximately 0.5 PPT and 28 PPT. In a further method, the temperature of the algae cultivation system may be adjusted to between approximately 21 and 32 degrees Celsius (“° C.”). According to yet another method for maintaining the dominance of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system, a salinity in the algae cultivation system may be adjusted to below that of seawater for a first predetermined period of time, and then the salinity in the algae cultivation system may be adjusted to a higher salinity for a second predetermined period of time.

Claims

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

inoculating the algae cultivation system with a culture of Nannochloropsis;

administering an effective amount of sodium hypochlorite to the algae cultivation system having the Nannochloropsis, the effective amount of sodium hypochlorite resulting in an approximate initial concentration of between 20 milligrams/liter and 40 milligrams/liter of sodium hypochlorite in the algae cultivation system having the Nannochloropsis; and

maintaining the sodium hypochlorite concentration of the algae cultivation system having the Nannochloropsis at a concentration of between 20 milligrams/liter and 40 milligrams/liter on a daily basis.

2. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

visually observing the algae cultivation system for a presence of a predator or a competing algae species.

3. The method of claim 2, the method further comprising:

re-administering the effective amount of sodium hypochlorite if the presence of the predator or the competing algae species appears to challenge the dominance of Nannochloropsis growing in the algae cultivation system.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

adding a shock amount of sodium hypochlorite that results in an approximate concentration of between 40 milligrams/liter and 80 milligrams/liter of sodium hypochlorite in the algae cultivation system before the maintaining step.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting a salinity in the algae cultivation system to between approximately 0.5 PPT and 28 PPT.

6. The method of claim 5, the method further comprising:

adjusting a temperature within the algae cultivation system to between approximately 21°

C. and 32°

C.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

adding a shock amount of sodium hypochlorite that results in an approximate concentration of between 40 milligrams/liter and 80 milligrams/liter of sodium hypochlorite in the algae cultivation system before the maintaining step.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting a salinity in the algae cultivation system to below that of seawater for a first predetermined period of time; and

increasing the salinity in the algae cultivation system while maintaining the salinity below 45 PPT for a second predetermined period of time.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

adding a shock amount of sodium hypochlorite that results in an approximate concentration of between 40 milligrams/liter and 80 milligrams/liter of sodium hypochlorite in the algae cultivation system before the maintaining step.

10. The method of claim 8, the method further comprising:

adjusting a temperature within the algae cultivation system to between approximately 21°

C. and 32°

C.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the algae cultivation system includes seawater.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the adjusting is performed with fresh water.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the adjusting or increasing is performed with a mixture of seawater and fresh water.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the algae cultivation system is in a photobioreactor.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the algae cultivation system is in an open pond.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein the algae cultivation system is in an open vessel.

17. The method of claim 8, wherein the algae cultivation system is in a closed vessel.

19. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

adjusting the salinity in the algae cultivation system having the Nannochloropsis to approximately 17.5 PPT.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting a salinity in the algae cultivation system having the Nannochloropsis to approximately 17.5 PPT.

18. A method for maintaining dominance of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system, the method comprising:

inoculating the algae cultivation system with a culture of Nannochloropsis;

administering an effective amount of sodium hypochlorite to the algae cultivation system having the Nannochloropsis, the effective amount of sodium hypochlorite resulting in an approximate initial concentration of between 20 milligrams/liter and 40 milligrams/liter of sodium hypochlorite in the algae cultivation system having the Nannochloropsis; and

maintaining the sodium hypochlorite concentration of the algae cultivation system having the Nannochloropsis at a concentration of between 20 milligrams/liter and 40 milligrams/liter on a daily basis.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

adjusting a salinity in the algae cultivation system having a Nannochloropsis culture to below approximately 10 PPT for a first predetermined period of time; and

increasing the salinity in the algae cultivation system having the Nannochloropsis culture to above approximately 37 PPT for a second predetermined period of time.