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US 2014/0197098 A1Published application
Production of Cyanobacterial or Algal Biomass Using Chitin as a Nitrogen Source
AssigneeThe University of Montana
InventorsCarrine Blank, Nancy W. Hinman
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Abstract
A process of growing a culture of cyanobacteria or algae using chitin or chitosan as a source of nitrogen for photosynthetic growth is described. This process can be used to remove pollutants from nitrogen-deficient natural waters or wastewaters. Biomass that results from photosynthetic growth on chitin can be used, either as whole cells or the isolated components of the cells, for a large variety of commercial purposes.
Claims8
A method of treating water to remove at least one pollutant comprising the steps of:
- mixing a composition comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of chitin and chitosan, and water;
- inoculating the mixture with at least one photosynthetic organism that uses chitin or chitosan, or a breakdown product of chitin or chitosan metabolism as a nitrogen source;
- exposing the inoculated mixture to light;
- exposing the mixture to carbon dioxide;
- detecting growth of the at least one photosynthetic organism that uses chitin or chitosan, or a breakdown product of chitin or chitosan metabolism as a nitrogen source;
- monitoring a level of pollutant in the inoculated mixture;
- and
- separating the solids of the inoculated mixture from the aqueous phase upon reaching a desired level of the at least one pollutant, wherein the aqueous phase has a reduced level of the pollutant.
5 more elements
A method of treating water to remove at least one pollutant comprising the steps of:
- mixing a composition comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of chitin and chitosan, and water;
- exposing the mixture to light;
- exposing the mixture to carbon dioxide;
- detecting growth of at least one photosynthetic organism that uses chitin or chitosan, or a breakdown product of chitin or chitosan metabolism as a nitrogen source;
- monitoring a level of pollutant in the mixture;
- and
- separating the solids of the mixture from the aqueous phase upon reaching a desired level of the at least one pollutant, wherein the aqueous phase has a reduced level of the pollutant and is clean water.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.