Pond System for Algae Growth and Harvesting
AssigneeExxonMobile Research and Engineering Company
InventorsPaul J. Berlowitz, P. Hugh Helferty
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Management of a pond for algae growth and harvesting is facilitated by use of a cover system. The cover system can include one or more types of cover portions for management of various interactions between a pond and an ambient environment, such as management of incident light, thermal management, facilitating product recovery, and management of gas diffusion. The cover system can be used in conjunction with both active and passive mixing devices.
Claims50
A system for growing algae, comprising:
- (i) a pond for growing algae in communication with an ambient environment;
- and
- (ii) a cover system covering at least 10% of a surface of the pond, wherein the cover system comprises a first cover portion that includes a thermal management coating on a surface of the first cover portion, the thermal management coating comprising a coating that absorbs or reflects at least one of ultraviolet light, actinic light, or infrared light.
A system for growing algae, comprising:
- (i) a pond for growing algae in communication with an ambient environment;
- and
- (ii) a cover system covering at least 10% of a surface of the pond, wherein the cover system comprises a first cover portion that increases CO2 utilization in the pond by at least about 5% relative to the pond in an uncovered state.
A system for growing algae, comprising:
- (i) a pond for growing algae in communication with an ambient environment;
- and
- (ii) a cover system covering at least 10% of a surface of the pond, wherein the cover system comprises a first cover portion that reduces at least one of (a) water lost due to evaporation from the pond, or (b) water gained due to absorption of rainwater by the pond, by at least about 5% relative to the pond in an uncovered state.
A system for growing algae, comprising:
- (i) a pond for growing algae in communication with an ambient environment;
- and
- (ii) a cover system covering at least 10% of a surface of the pond, the cover system comprising a first cover portion that facilitates capture of hydrocarbons generated by the algae in the pond.
A system for growing algae, comprising:
- (i) a pond for growing algae in communication with an ambient environment;
- and
- (ii) a cover system covering at least 10% of a surface of the pond, the cover system comprising a first cover portion that selectively allows diffusion of O2 relative to CO2.
A pond management system for an algae growth pond, comprising:
- (i) a cover system corresponding to the surface area of at least a portion of a pond, the cover system including a first cover portion that allows at least about 50% of incident actinic light intensity to pass through to a pond surface;
- (ii) a primary mixing device configured to generate a flow within the pond;
- and
- (iii) at least one secondary mixing device attached to a floor of the pond or a wall of the pond.
A method for managing a pond, comprising the following steps:
- (i) covering a first portion of a pond with a first cover portion that allows at least 50% of actinic light to pass through the first cover portion;
- and
- (ii) covering a second portion of the pond with a second cover portion that selectively allows diffusion of O2 relative to CO2.
A method for managing a pond, comprising the following steps:
- (i) covering a first portion of a pond with a first cover portion that allows at least 50% of actinic light to pass through the first cover portion;
- (ii) covering a second portion of the pond with a second cover portion, the second cover portion having a lipophilic surface that facilitates capture of hydrocarbons generated by the algae in the pond;
- (iii) exposing algae within the pond to conditions effective for accumulation of a product, the algae having a first algae concentration within the pond;
- (iv) triggering secretion of the accumulated product;
- and
- (v) collecting the secreted product using the second cover portion,
- wherein the algae within the pond have a second algae concentration after triggering secretion of the accumulated product and collection of the secreted product, the second algae concentration being at least about 50% of the first algae concentration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.