Revolving algal biofilm photobioreactor systems and methods
OwnerMartin Anthony Gross, Zhiyou Weninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An algal growth system can include a flexible sheet material, where the flexible sheet material can be configured to facilitate the growth and attachment of algae. The algal growth system can include a plurality of shafts, where the plurality of shafts can be associated with and support the flexible sheet material, a gear system, a drive motor, where the drive motor can be coupled with the gear system, where the drive motor can actuate the gear system and the plurality of shafts such that the flexible sheet material can be actuated, a fluid reservoir, where the flexible sheet material can be configured to pass through the fluid reservoir, a contacting liquid, and a liquid phase and a gaseous phase.
Claims20
An algal growth system comprising:
- (a) a flexible sheet material, the flexible sheet material being configured to facilitate the growth and attachment of algae;
- (b) a plurality of shafts, wherein the plurality of shafts are associated with and support the flexible sheet material;
- (c) a gear system, wherein the gear system is coupled with the plurality of shafts;
- (d) a drive motor, the drive motor being coupled with the gear system, wherein the drive motor actuates the gear system and the plurality of shafts such that the flexible sheet material is actuated;
- (e) a fluid reservoir, wherein the flexible sheet material is configured to pass through the fluid reservoir during operation of the algal growth system harvesting system;
- (f) a contacting liquid, wherein the contacting liquid is retained within the fluid reservoir and includes nutrients that facilitate the growth of the algae;
- and
- (g) a liquid phase and a gaseous phase, wherein the liquid phase comprises rotating the flexible sheet material through the contacting liquid retained in the fluid reservoir and the gaseous phase comprises rotating the flexible sheet material through gaseous carbon dioxide.
A method of growing algae comprising the steps of:
- providing an algal growth system comprising;
- (a) a flexible sheet material, the flexible sheet material being configured to facilitate the growth and attachment of algae;
- (b) a plurality of shafts, wherein the plurality of shafts are associated with and support the flexible sheet material;
- (c) a gear system, wherein the gear system is coupled with the plurality of shafts;
- (d) a drive motor, the drive motor being coupled with the gear system, wherein the drive motor actuates the gear system and the plurality of shafts such that the flexible sheet material is substantially rotated;
- (e) a fluid reservoir, wherein the flexible sheet material is configured to pass through the fluid reservoir during operation of the algal growth system;
- and
- (f) a contacting liquid, wherein the contacting liquid is retained within the fluid reservoir and includes nutrients that facilitate the growth of the algae
- rotating the flexible sheet material of the algal growth system through a liquid phase such that the flexible sheet material passes through the contacting liquid retained in the fluid reservoir;
- rotating the flexible sheet material of the algal growth system through a gaseous phase such that the flexible sheet material passes through gaseous carbon dioxide;
- and
- harvesting the algae from the flexible sheet material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.