Enhanced practical photosynthetic CO2 mitigation

• US 20020072109A1
• Filed: 07/18/2001
• Published: 06/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ohio University
• Original Assignee: Ohio University
• Inventors: Vis-Chiasson, Morgan L., Bayless, David J., Kremer, Gregory G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,667,171 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/266
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/95 Specific microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/84 Biological processes
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/02 Photobioreactors culturing algae A01G33/00, A01H4/001, C12N1/12
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 25/02 Membranes; Filters filters or filtration in general B01D24/00-B01D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/02 Percolation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 of CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/59 Biological synthesis; Biological purification

Abstract

This process is unique in photosynthetic carbon sequestration. An on-site biological sequestration system directly decreases the concentration of carbon-containing compounds in the emissions of fossil generation units. In this process, photosynthetic microbes are attached to a growth surface arranged in a containment chamber that is lit by solar photons. A harvesting system ensures maximum organism growth and rate of CO₂ uptake. Soluble carbon and nitrogen concentrations delivered to the cyanobacteria are enhanced, further increasing growth rate and carbon utilization.

Claims

1. (Cancelled)

2. (Cancelled)

3. (Cancelled)

4. (Cancelled)

5. A method for removing a carbon-containing compound from a flowing gas stream, the method comprising:

(a) interposing at least one membrane in the gas stream; and

(b) depositing on the membrane a photosynthetic microbe selected from the group of algae and cyanobacteria.

6. The method in accordance with claim 5, further comprising the step of cooling the gas upstream of the membrane.

7. The method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the temperature of said gas near the membrane is less than about 75 degrees Centigrade.

8. The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein the temperature of said gas near the membrane is less than about 75 degrees Centigrade.

9. The method in accordance with claim 7, wherein the temperature of said gas near the membrane is greater than about 50 degrees Centigrade.

10. The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said carbon-containing compound is carbon monoxide.

11. The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said carbon-containing compound is carbon dioxide.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising the step of applying a liquid to said membrane.

13. The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein said liquid is applied with a volume that varies with time.

14. The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein said liquid contains water.

15. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the water is injected into said membrane.

16. The method in accordance with claim 5, further comprising the step of illuminating said photosynthetic microbe with a light source for a period of time.

17. The method in accordance with claim 16, wherein said light source includes fiber optics.

18. The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said cyanobacteria is Cyanidium.

19. The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said cyanobacteria is Nostoc.

20. The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said membrane is a polyester.

21. The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said membrane is tetraflouroethylene.

22. The method in accordance with claim 5, further comprising the step of moving the membrane.

25. An apparatus in accordance with claim 24, further comprising means for cooling the gas upstream of the membrane.

26. An apparatus in accordance with claim 25, wherein the temperature of the gas near said membrane is less than about 75 degrees Centigrade.

27. An apparatus in accordance with claim 24, wherein the temperature of said gas near the membrane is less than about 75 degrees Centigrade.

28. An apparatus in accordance with claim 24, wherein the temperature of said gas is greater than about 50 degrees Centigrade.

29. An apparatus in accordance with claim 24, wherein said carbon-containing compound is carbon monoxide.

30. An apparatus in accordance with claim 24, wherein said carbon-containing compound is carbon dioxide.

31. An apparatus in accordance with claim 30, further comprising means for applying liquid to said membrane.

32. An apparatus in accordance with claim 31, wherein said means applies the liquid with a volume that varies with time.

33. An apparatus in accordance with claim 31, wherein said liquid contains water.

34. An apparatus in accordance with claim 24, further comprising means for injecting a liquid into said membrane.

35. The apparatus in accordance with claim 34, wherein the means injects variably with time.

36. An apparatus in accordance with claim 24, further comprising means for illuminating said photosynthetic microbe with a light source for a period of time.

37. An apparatus in accordance with claim 36, wherein said light source includes fiber optics.

38. The apparatus in accordance with claim 24, wherein said cyanobacteria is Cyanidium.

39. The apparatus in accordance with claim 24, wherein said cyanobacteria is Nostoc.

40. The apparatus in accordance with claim 24, wherein said membrane is a polyester.

41. The apparatus in accordance with claim 24, wherein said membrane is tetraflouroethylene.

23. A method for removing carbon dioxide from a flowing gas stream, the method comprising:

(a) interposing at least one membrane in the gas stream;

(b) depositing on said membrane a photosynthetic microbe selected from the group of algae and cyanobacteria;

(c) illuminating said membrane with a light source; and

(d) flushing said membrane with a liquid to remove said photosynthetic microbe from said membrane.

24. An apparatus for removing a carbon-containing compound from a flowing gas stream, said apparatus comprising:

(a) at least one membrane mounted in said gas stream; and

(b) a photosynthetic microbe, selected from the group of algae and cyanobacteria, on said membrane.

42. An apparatus for removing carbon dioxide from a flowing gas stream, said apparatus comprising:

(a) at least one membrane mounted in said gas stream;

(b) a photosynthetic microbe selected from the group of algae and cyanobacteria on said membrane;

(c) means for illuminating said photosynthetic microbe for a period of time; and

(d) means for injecting a liquid into said membrane for providing nutrients for said photosynthetic microbe.