US 2014/0273174 A1 · REVOLVING ALGAL BIOFILM PHOTOBIOREACTOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Abstract

An algal growth system can include a vertical reactor that can include a flexible sheet material, where the flexible sheet material can be configured to facilitate the growth and attachment of algae. The vertical reactor can include a shaft, where the shaft can be associated with and can supports the flexible sheet material and a drive motor, where the drive motor can be coupled with the shaft such that the flexible sheet material can be selectively actuated. The algal growth system can include a raceway pond, where the vertical reactor can be positioned at least partially within the raceway pond, where the raceway pond can include a fluid reservoir, where the flexible sheet material can be configured to pass through the fluid reservoir during operation of the algal growth system, a contacting liquid, where the contacting liquid can be retained within the fluid reservoir and can includes nutrients that facilitate the growth of the algae, and a liquid phase and a gaseous phase, where the liquid phase can include rotating the flexible sheet material through the contacting liquid retained in the fluid reservoir and the gaseous phase can include rotating the flexible sheet material through gaseous carbon dioxide.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An algal growth system comprising:

(a) a vertical reactor comprising;
(i) a flexible sheet material, the flexible sheet material being configured to facilitate the growth and attachment of algae;
(ii) a shaft, wherein the shaft is associated with and supports the flexible sheet material;
and
(iii) a drive motor, the drive motor being coupled with the shaft such that the flexible sheet material is selectively actuated;
(b) a raceway pond, the vertical reactor being positioned at least partially within the raceway pond, the raceway pond comprising;
(i) a fluid reservoir, wherein the flexible sheet material is configured to pass through the fluid reservoir during operation of the algal growth system;
and
(ii) a contacting liquid, wherein the contacting liquid is retained within the fluid reservoir and includes nutrients that facilitate the growth of the algae;
and
(c) 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.

8 more elements

A method of growing algae comprising the steps of:

providing an algal growth system comprising;
(a) a vertical reactor comprising;
(i) a flexible sheet material, the flexible sheet material being configured to facilitate the growth and attachment of algae;
(ii) a shaft, wherein the shaft is associated with and supports the flexible sheet material;
and
(iii) a drive motor, the drive motor being coupled with the shaft such that the flexible sheet material is selectively actuated;
and
(b) a raceway pond, the vertical reactor being positioned at least partially within the raceway pond, the raceway pond comprising;
(i) a fluid reservoir, wherein the flexible sheet material is configured to pass through the fluid reservoir during operation of the algal growth system;
and
(ii) 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.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Revolving algal biofilm photobioreactor systems and methods

Life of this patent

Revolving algal biofilm photobioreactor systems and methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17