System and method for cultivating algae
AssigneeSignify Holding B.V.
InventorsMARCELLINUS PETRUS CAROLUS MICHAEL KRIJN, MARC ANDRE DE SAMBER
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system is disclosed for cultivating algae. The system comprises an irradiation system that is configured to irradiate to-be-harvested algae and an algae properties measurement system that is configured to measure one or more properties of the to-be-harvested algae. The system also comprises a data processing system that is configured to, based on the measured one or more properties of the to-be-harvested algae, determine a pre-harvest radiation recipe. The data processing system is further configured to cause the irradiation system to irradiate the to-be-harvested algae in accordance with the determined pre-harvest radiation recipe.
Claims15
A system for cultivating algae, the system comprising:
- a growing compartment and a harvesting compartment, an output of the growing compartment being connected to an input of the harvesting compartment, and the harvesting compartment configured to, in operation, comprise to-be-harvested algae, wherein the to-be-harvested algae are suspended in a fluid, forming an algae suspension;
- a measurement system for measuring one or more parameters that are relatable to a property of the to-be-harvested algae and generating a signal indicative of the one or more parameters, wherein at least one of the one or more parameters that are relatable to a property of the to-be-harvested algae represents a property of the algae suspension, said property of the algae suspension being selected from:
- a transparency or opacity of the algae suspension, a density of the algae in the algae suspension, a color of the algae suspension, an amount or density of chlorophyll in the algae suspension, an amount or density of one or more types of carotenoids in the algae suspension, an amount or density of one or more types of flavonoids in the algae suspension, a photosynthetic efficiency or stress level of the algae in the algae suspension, an O2 level of the algae suspension, a CO2 level of the algae suspension, an acidity of the algae suspension, a nutrient level of the algae suspension, and/or a temperature of the algae suspension;
- an irradiation system for irradiating to-be-harvested algae in the harvesting compartment based on oner more control signals;
- and
- a data processing system comprising a processor configured to:
- receiving from the measurement system the signal indicative of one or more parameters that are relatable to a property of the to-be-harvested algae,
- determine a pre-harvest radiation recipe, based on the one or more parameters as indicated in the signal, wherein the pre-harvest radiation recipe is configured to provide radiation comprising a large fraction of blue radiation or UV-A radiation or UV-B radiation,
- generate one or more control signals for the irradiation system to irradiate the to-be-harvested algae in accordance with the determined pre-harvest radiation recipe, and
- send the one or more control signals to the irradiation system.
(canceled)
A method of irradiating to-be-harvested algae comprised in a harvesting compartment of a system for cultivating algae, wherein the to-be-harvested algae are suspended in a fluid, formed an algae suspension, the method comprising:
- measuring by a measurement system one or more parameters that are relatable to a property of the to-be-harvested algae, wherein at least one of the one or more parameters that are relatable to a property of the to-be-harvested algae represents a property of the algae suspension, said property of the algae suspension being selected from:
- a transparency or opacity of the algae suspension, a density of the algae in the algae suspension, a color of the algae suspension, an amount or density of chlorophyll in the algae suspension, an amount or density of one or more types of carotenoids in the algae suspension, an amount or density of one or more types of flavonoids in the algae suspension, a photosynthetic efficienty or stress level of the algae in the algae suspension, an O2 level of the algae suspension, a CO2 level of the algae suspension, an acidity of the algae suspension, a nutrient level of the algae suspension, and/or a temperature of the algae suspension,
- receiving from the measurement system a signal indicative of the one or more parameters that are relatable to a property of the to-be-harvested algae,
- determining, based on the one or more parameters as indicated by the signal, a pre-harvest radiation recipe, wherein the pre-harvest radiation recipe is configured to provide radiation comprising a large fraction of blue radiation or UV-A radiation or UV-B radiation,
- generating one or more control signals for an irradiation system to irradiate the to-be-harvested algae in accordance with the determined pre-harvest radiation recipe,
- sending the one or more control signals to the irradiation system, and
- irradiating with the irradiation system the to-be-harvested algae based on the one or more control signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.