Back to results
US 12,091,647 B2Granted
Moving bed biofilm reactor system for production of algae biomass
AssigneeKimle Aquaculture, LLC
InventorsJackson Kimle, Matthew Ellis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A moving bed biofilm reactor system for growing microorganisms comprising a reservoir containing a fluid that contains nutrients conducive to growth of microorganisms and a plurality of inert biomass carriers having a surface area configured to support growth of microorganisms is provided. The microorganisms may be used to remove a pollutant from a fluid. Furthermore, the microorganisms may be harvested and used as a foodstuff fertilizer, biofuels, and bioplastics.
Claims21
A method for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms comprising:
- one or more tanks;
- the one or more tanks containing a first fluid and aquatic animals;
- a fluid recirculation system;
- a microorganism growing apparatus;
- wherein the microorganism growing apparatus is comprised of a first reservoir, a second reservoir, and microorganisms configured for removing one or more pollutants released by the aquatic animals;
- wherein the fluid recirculation system moves the first fluid from the one or more tanks to the first reservoir of the microorganism growing apparatus;
- wherein the first reservoir is configured to contain a plurality of inert biomass carriers, each inert biomass carrier having a surface area configured to support growth of the microorganisms;
- wherein, when the first fluid is moved to the first reservoir, the inert biomass carriers are exposed to the first fluid and nutrients within the first reservoir;
- wherein the first reservoir is exposed to a first condition conducive to the growth of the microorganisms and the microorganisms grow on the plurality of inert biomass carriers;
- wherein at least a portion of the plurality of inert biomass carriers containing the microorganisms are moved from the first reservoir to the second reservoir;
- wherein the second reservoir is configured to contain a second fluid which contains the one or more pollutants;
- and
- wherein the second reservoir is exposed to a second condition conducive to inducing the microorganisms to uptake the one or more pollutants, thereby removing the one or more pollutants from the second fluid.
10 more elements
A method of cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms within a moving bed biofilm reactor comprising:
- one or more tanks;
- the one or more tanks containing a first fluid and aquatic animals;
- a fluid recirculation system;
- a microorganism growing apparatus;
- wherein the microorganism growing apparatus is comprised of a first reservoir, a second reservoir, and microorganisms configured for removing one or more pollutants released by the aquatic animals;
- wherein the fluid recirculation system moves the first fluid from the one or more tanks to the first reservoir of the microorganism growing apparatus;
- wherein the first reservoir of the moving bed biofilm reactor is configured to contain a plurality of inert biomass carriers having a surface area configured to support growth of the microorganisms;
- wherein, when the first fluid is moved to the first reservoir, the inert biomass carriers are exposed to the first fluid and nutrients conducive to growth of the microorganisms;
- wherein, to induce growth of the microorganisms, the carriers are periodically moved within the first reservoir;
- wherein the microorganisms grow on the carriers;
- wherein at least a portion of the carriers containing the microorganisms are moved from the first reservoir to the second reservoir;
- wherein the second reservoir is configured to contain a second fluid which contains the one or more pollutants;
- and
- wherein the second reservoir is exposed to a second condition conducive to inducing the microorganisms to uptake the one or more pollutants, thereby removing the one or more pollutants from the second fluid.
11 more elements
A method of cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms within a moving bed biofilm reactor comprising:
- one or more tanks;
- the one or more tanks containing a first fluid and aquatic animals;
- a fluid recirculation system;
- a microorganism growing apparatus;
- wherein the microorganism growing apparatus is comprised of a first reservoir, a second reservoir, and microorganisms configured for removing one or more pollutants released by the aquatic animals;
- wherein the fluid recirculation system moves the first fluid from the one or more tanks to the first reservoir of the microorganism growing apparatus;
- wherein the first reservoir of the moving bed biofilm reactor is configured to contain a plurality of inert biomass carriers having a surface area configured to support growth of the microorganisms;
- wherein, when the first fluid is moved to the first reservoir, the inert biomass carriers are exposed to the first fluid and nutrients conducive to growth of the microorganisms;
- wherein, to induce growth of the microorganisms, the inert biomass carriers are exposed to a photosynthetic light source such that the photosynthetic microorganisms are exposed to a photosynthetic light condition;
- wherein the microorganisms grow on the inert biomass carriers;
- wherein at least a portion of the inert biomass carriers containing the microorganisms are moved from the first reservoir to the second reservoir;
- wherein the second reservoir is configured to contain a second fluid which contains the one or more pollutants;
- and
- wherein the second reservoir is exposed to a second condition conducive to inducing the microorganisms to uptake the one or more pollutants, thereby removing the one or more pollutants from the second fluid.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.