A SYSTEM FOR GENERATING AND USING NOx GASES IN AN ALGAE GROWTH SYSTEM

A system for generating NOx gases for growth of algae comprising:

• (a) a closed system combustion stage to combust carbonaceous material at a flame temperature and pressure promoting generation of an exhaust gas comprising a controlled proportion of carbon dioxide and a controlled pre-determined quantity of NOx gases as nutrients for algae;
• (b) a closed system algae growth and oxygen generation stage for receiving the exhaust gas from the closed system combustion stage and delivering said exhaust gas as at least a portion of a feedstock gas for growing algae in an algae growth medium in which solubilised species of nitrogen including at least acid forming NOx and its reaction products with algae growth medium are metabolised by growing algae and directing an exit gas substantially comprising algal produced oxygen, carbon dioxide and non-solubilised NOx in controlled proportions from the closed system algae growth and oxygen generation stage to the closed system combustion stage, said exit gas comprising oxygen in major proportion and carbon dioxide and non-solubilised NOx in minor proportion;
• (c) dissociating insoluble NOx received in the exit gas from the closed system algae growth and oxygen generation stage in the closed system combustion stage and reforming said NOx into the same or other NOx gas constituents which are contained within the exhaust gas;
• and
• (d) a control system for controlling operation of the closed system combustion stage and closed system algae growth and oxygen generation stage,
• wherein the control system controls pH of the algae growth medium within the closed system algae growth and oxygen generation stage to achieve a selected condition.

A method for generating NOx gases for growth of algae comprising:

• (a) combusting carbonaceous material at a flame temperature and pressure promoting generation of an exhaust gas comprising a controlled proportion of carbon dioxide and a controlled pre-determined quantity of NOX gases as nutrients for algae;
• (b) receiving the exhaust gas from the closed system combustion stage in a closed system algae growth and oxygen generation stage as at least a portion of a feedstock gas for growing algae in an algae growth medium in which solubilised species of nitrogen including at least acid forming NOx and its reaction products with algae growth medium are metabolised by growing algae and directing an exit gas substantially comprising algal produced oxygen, carbon dioxide and non-solubilised NOx gases in controlled proportions from the closed system algae growth and oxygen generation stage to the closed system combustion stage, said exit gas comprising oxygen in major proportion and carbon dioxide and non-solubilised NOx in minor proportion;
• and
• (c) dissociating under high combustion temperatures non-solubilised NOx gases in a closed system combustion stage, received from a closed system algae growth and oxygen generation stage and reforming into the same or other NOX gas constituents;
• and
• (d) controlling, by a control system, operation of the closed system combustion stage and closed system algae growth and oxygen generation stage,
• wherein the control system controls pH of the algae growth medium to achieve a selected condition.