METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CO2 SEQUESTRATION

• US 20080274494A1
• Filed: 05/28/2008
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malcolm Glen Kertz
• Original Assignee: Malcolm Glen Kertz
• Inventors: Kertz, Malcolm Glen
• Granted Patent: US 8,415,142 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/29
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 15/00 Devices or methods for influencing weather conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/02 Treatment of plants with carbon dioxide
• 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 23/14 Bags
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/50 Means for positioning or orientating the apparatus C12M41/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/58 Reaction vessels connected in series or in parallel combinations of bioreactors with other apparatus, C12M43/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 27/20 Baffles; Ribs; Ribbons; Auger vanes
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 33/22 Settling tanks; Sedimentation by gravity settling tanks per se B01D21/02
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 43/04 Bioreactors or fermenters combined with combustion devices or plants, e.g. for carbon dioxide removal C12M43/06 takes precedence; recovery of carbon dioxide C12F3/02
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/12 Unicellular algae; Culture media therefor as new plants A01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/20 Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2

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.

Claims

1. A system for removing CO₂ from air using algae, the system comprising:

a container for a suspension of algae in a liquid;

a bioreactor having a translucent channel in fluid communication with the container to absorb CO₂ and grow the algae;

a monitor determining the growth of the algae in the channel;

a separator to separate grown algae; and

an extractor to extract biomaterials from the grown algae.

2. The system of claim 1 further including a pre-monitor to determine a parameter of the algae from the group consisting of pH, temperature, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll concentration, nitrate concentration, ammonia concentration, and chloride concentration, prior to the algae entering the bioreactor or after leaving the bioreactor.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the temperature of the suspension is maintained between 0°

C. and 50°

C.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the dissolved oxygen concentration is in the range of about 0 mg/L to about 50 mg/L.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the turbidity of the suspension is in the range of 0 NTU to about 300 NTU.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the suspension has a flow rate through the channel from about 1 gallon per hour to about 100 gallons per hour.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the algae has a chlorophyll concentration in the range of 0.01 mg/L to about 8 mg/L.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the conductivity of the algae is in the range of 50 μ

S/cm to about 30,000 μ

S/cm.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the nitrogen in the algae is between about 0 mg/L to about 200 mg/L.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the suspension has a pH in the range of about 0.5 to about 13.5.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the chloride concentration of the suspension is between 0 mg/L and about 100 mg/L.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the monitor determines the cell density of the algae.

13. The system of claim 1 further including a conduit providing flow communication from the bioreactors to the container.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the conduit includes a nutrient pump to add nutrients to the suspension.

15. The system of claim 1 further including a compressed air source providing compressed air to the container.

16. The system of claim 1 further including a settler to separate the algae from the liquid in the suspension.

17. The system of claim 2 further including an algae harvester to harvest the algae.

18. The system of claim 1 further including a pump with flow monitor to pump the algae suspension to the extractor.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein the extractor includes a centrifuge receiving the algae suspension to further remove liquid from the algae suspension and a dryer to dry the algae.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein the extractor removes biomaterials from the algae.

21. The system of claim 1 wherein the extractor includes a separation system for removing biomaterials from of the algae.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the biomaterials include oils.

23. The system of claim 1 further including a conduit from the extractor transporting liquid to the container.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the conduit includes a sterilization unit to sterilize the liquid and a nutrient make-up system to make-up any nutrients lost.

25. An apparatus for sequestrating CO₂ comprising:

an translucent bio-reactor having a channel therethrough for the continuous flow of a suspension containing algae in the presence of light; and

the channel including adjacent first and second linear portions connected by a connecting portion, the connecting portion having a cross-section smaller than a cross-section of the first and second linear portions;

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein a first threshold is formed between an end of the first linear portion with an increasing taper and a second threshold is formed between the connecting portion and a second linear portion with a decreasing taper.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the connecting portion is radiused.

28. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the channel is made of a rigid, translucent material.

29. An apparatus for sequestering CO₂ comprising one more and more translucent bioreactors, each having a channel therethrough for the continuous flow of a suspension containing algae, and angling means having a member that directionally displaces the bioreactors to disrupt the flow of the suspension through the channel.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the member causes one end of the bioreactor to pivot upwardly.

31. An apparatus for growing algae, comprising:

a plurality of bioreactors having a translucent channel for flowing an algae suspension;

a support supporting the bioreactors;

means for agitating the algae suspension as it flows through the channel; and

a harvester to remove the algae from the algae suspension.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the bioreactors are housed in a temperature regulated enclosure.

33. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the means for agitating includes a member for raising and lowering one end of the bioreactors.

34. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the means for agitating includes a reduced cross-section of channel.

35. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the algae is removed from the suspension by centrifugation.

36. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the algae is removed from the suspension by micro-bubble flocculation.

37. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the bioreactor comprises a rigid translucent channel.

38. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the channel includes tapers and radiuses to prevent algae suspension stagnation.

39. A system for removing CO₂ from air using algae, the system comprising:

container means for a suspension of algae in a liquid;

translucent flow means in fluid communication with the container means to absorb CO₂ and grow the algae;

monitoring means for determining the growth of the algae in the translucent flow means;

separator means for separating grown algae; and

extraction means for extracting biomaterials from the grown algae.

40. A method for growing algae comprising:

forming a suspension of water and algae;

flowing the suspension through a translucent fluid path;

exposing the suspension to light;

monitoring the growth of the algae in the suspension, and

removing the algae from the suspension.

41. The method of claim 40 further comprising

introducing at least one algae nutrient into the suspension, such that the nutrient is dissolved in the suspension;

and

monitoring the concentration of the nutrient to optimize algae growth.

42. The method of claim 40 wherein the flow path includes a plurality of baffles configured for continuously agitating the suspension.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein the plurality of baffles comprise said channel for flowing the algae suspension through the at least one bioreactor.

44. The method of claim 40 wherein at least one nutrient is added to the suspension.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein the nutrient is a carbon dioxide containing gas.

46. The method of claim 44 further comprising monitoring the algae growth in suspension by monitoring light penetration through the suspension

47. The method of claim 44 further comprising measuring the cell density of the suspension.

48. The method of claim 40 wherein the suspension flows through the flow path under sterile conditions.