Algal cell growth, modification and harvesting

A system for growing algal cells which multiply by cell division, comprising a liquid containing reservoir in which said cells are disposed for multiplication by cell division, a cell harvest zone located adjacent the top surface of the liquid in said reservoir and cell migration means for effecting self-locomoted cell migration of the cells in said reservoir to said harvest zone, the thickness of said harvest zone being less than 1/10 I(one tenth) the average depth of the liquid in said reservoir.

Apparatus for harvesting algal cells from a liquid containing reservoir in which said cells are disposed for multiplication by cell division, comprising an elongated carrier disposed adjacent the surface of the liquid in said reservoir, a material mass supported by said carrier and at least partially disposed in the liquid in said reservoir to provide a migration path which enables cells in said liquid to migrate by self-locomotion from the liquid in said reservoir through said mass to a harvest zone located adjacent the top of said carrier, a cell harvest station disposed adjacent the top of said carrier and including means for removing cells from said carrier during relative movement between said carrier and said station, and drive means for producing relative movement between said station and said carrier.

Apparatus for harvesting algal cells from a liquid containing reservoir in which said cells are disposed for multiplication by cell division, comprising a pair of elongated carriers disposed in side-by-side relationship adjacent the surface of the liquid in said reservoir, a material mass supported by each of said carriers and at least partially disposed in the liquid in said reservoir to provide migration paths which enable cells in said liquid to migrate by self-locomotion from the liquid in said reservoir through said masses to the tops of said carriers, a cell harvest station disposed adjacent and spanning the tops of said carriers and including means for removing cells from said carriers during relative movement between said carriers and said station, and drive means for simultaneously moving said carriers in opposite directions back and forth relative to said harvest station.

The method of growing, enhancing the growth of and harvesting algal cells which multiply by cell division, comprising initially growing said cells in a relatively large area cell growth liquid containing reservoir in which said cells are initially disposed for multiplication by cell division, said reservoir being exposed to prevailing outdoor environmental conditions, contacting a surface of the liquid in said reservoir with a cell carrier for a time sufficient to permit a portion of the cells to migrate into said cell carrier, removing a portion of the cells from said cell carrier, transferring cells removed from said cell carrier to a relatively small area cell growth liquid containing reservoir, supplying cell metabolism modifying substances to the cells transferred to said small area reservoir, artificially controlling the environmental conditions to which the cells in said small area liquid containing reservoir are exposed, and harvesting at least a portion of the cells grown in said small area liquid containing reservoir.