System for harvesting algae in continuous fermentation
AssigneeMissing Link Technology, LLC
InventorSamuel L. Shepherd
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Abstract
The present invention is a system for harvesting algae in continuous fermentation. There is a harvester including a main moving belt, a plurality of rollers, and a motor for driving the main motor belt. There is a reactor tank and a vacuum extractor for applying a vacuum over a width of the main moving belt to extract biomass and to dry the main moving belt. The main moving belt has one end in the reactor tanks and another end extended into the vacuum extractor. The algae contained in the reactor tank is collected for further processing, including oil extraction. With algae harvested in the large-scale manner of the present invention, a more efficient oil extraction method can be used because of the concentration, temperature, and pressure can be more easily controlled.
Claims7
A method for harvesting algae in continuous fermentation, said method comprising the steps of:
- moving a main moving belt through a reactor tank, containing algae, by rollers, the belt having a submerged portion in said reactor tank so as to collect algae on the belt;
- transporting algae on the belt in said reactor tank to a vacuum extractor for applying a vacuum over a width of said main moving belt to extract algae and to dry said main moving belt;
- stabilizing the belt during exposure to said vacuum extractor by utilizing a stabilizing means being comprised of at least two belts, said main moving belt being placed between said at least two belts in said vacuum extractor;
- collecting algae from said vacuum extractor as biomass for oil harvesting;
- returning the belt to said reactor tank;
- and repeating movement of the belt for continuous harvest of algae.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.