Systems and methods for processing algae cultivation fluid
AssigneeAurora Algae, Inc.
InventorsMehran Parsheh, Megan Hippler, Shahrokh A. Naieni, Guido Radaelli
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Abstract
Systems and methods for reducing an amount of unwanted living organisms within an algae cultivation fluid are provided herein. According to some embodiments, methods may include subjecting the algae cultivation fluid to an amount of cavitation, the amount of cavitation being defined by a pressure differential between a downstream pressure and a vapor pressure, the pressure differential divided by half of a product of a fluid density multiplied by a square of a velocity of an apparatus throat.
Claims31
A method for reducing an amount of unwanted living organisms and increasing an amount of biofuel producing algal cells within an algae cultivation fluid, the method comprising:
- subjecting the algae cultivation fluid to an amount of cavitation, the amount of cavitation being defined by a pressure differential between a downstream pressure and a vapor pressure, the pressure differential divided by half of a product of a fluid density multiplied by a square of a velocity of an apparatus throat and cultivating the biofuel producing algal cells.
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A system for reducing an amount of unwanted living organisms within an algae cultivation fluid, the system comprising:
- an algae cultivation fluid source for receiving and retaining an algae cultivation fluid;
- a cavitation apparatus in fluid communication with the algae cultivation fluid source;
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- a fluid motive source adapted to communicate the algae cultivation fluid from the algae cultivation fluid source into the cavitation apparatus with sufficient velocity to induce an amount of cavitation within the algae cultivation fluid by passing the algae cultivation fluid through the cavitation apparatus.
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An improved method for producing a biofuel from algae cultivation fluid, the method comprising:
- reducing an amount of unwanted living organisms within an algae cultivation fluid by passing the algae cultivation fluid through at least one apparatus throat to induce an amount of cavitation within the algae cultivation fluid to reduce the unwanted living organisms within the algae cultivation fluid;
- wherein reducing the amount of unwanted living organisms within an algae cultivation fluid causes algae cells within the algae cultivation fluid to mature at an accelerated rate relative to algae cells within algae cultivation fluid having a higher concentration of unwanted living organisms;
- separating algae cells from the algae cultivation fluid;
- and
- processing the algae cells in such a way that a biofuel is produced.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.