Photobioreactor systems and methods
AssigneeBlu3, Inc.
InventorBeau G. Perry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A photobioreactor including a containment structure containing a liquid culture medium for cultivating seaweed. The containment structure includes a sidewall extending vertically between a top and bottom section where the bottom section has an effluent arranged to allow extraction of cultivated seaweed. A spiral liner is positioned adjacent to an inside surface of the sidewall. Light emitters are arranged along a surface of the spiral liner. Flow generators, positioned within the containment structure in a spiral configuration between the top section and bottom section, are configured to direct a flow of the liquid culture medium from the top section toward the bottom section of the containment structure.
Claims20
A photobioreactor comprising:
- a containment structure arranged to contain a liquid culture medium for cultivating seaweed, the containment structure including at least one sidewall extending vertically between a top section and a bottom section;
- a spiral liner positioned adjacent to an inside surface of the at least one sidewall and being in contact with the liquid culture medium;
- an array of sensors configured to monitor at least one environmental condition within the photobioreactor;
- a plurality of flow generators, positioned within the containment structure in a spiral configuration between the top section and bottom section, configured to direct a flow of the liquid culture medium from the top section toward the bottom section of the containment structure along a downward spiral path;
- and
- an array of light emitters arranged along a surface of the spiral liner adjacent to the downward spiral path.
A method for cultivating a biomass using a photobioreactor comprising:
- containing a liquid culture medium for cultivating seaweed using a containment structure, the containment structure including at least one sidewall extending vertically between a top section and bottom section;
- positioning a spiral liner adjacent to an inside surface of the at least one sidewall and in contact with the liquid culture medium;
- receiving, continuously, a portion of the liquid culture medium via an inlet of a recirculator adjacent to the bottom section;
- outputting, continuously, the portion of the liquid culture medium via an outlet of the recirculatory adjacent to the top section;
- monitoring at least one environmental condition within the photobioreactor;
- directing a flow of the liquid culture medium from the top section toward the bottom section of the containment structure along a downward spiral path;
- and
- positioning an array of light emitters along a surface of the spiral liner adjacent to the downward spiral path.
A photobioreactor comprising:
- a containment structure arranged to contain a liquid culture medium for cultivating seaweed, the containment structure including at least one sidewall extending vertically between a top and bottom section;
- an array of sensors configured to monitor at least one environmental condition within the photobioreactor;
- a plurality of flow generators, positioned within the containment structure in a spiral configuration between the top section and bottom section, configured to direct a flow of the liquid culture medium from the top section toward the bottom section of the containment structure along a downward spiral path;
- and
- an array of light emitters arranged along a surface of the sidewall adjacent the downward spiral path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.