Bio-energy reactor
AssigneeEnnesys SAS
InventorsNicholas Eckelberry, Michael Green
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system includes an ionic exchange conduit through which a flow of photosynthetic biomass is drawn capturing an electrical charge which is used to alternately power a photonic activated reservoir housing a living photosynthetic biomass suspended in a flowing liquid medium which self generates an electrical charge as it migrates towards and through a cathode separated from an anode by a membrane. Upon electrical transfer through the circuit an electrolysis process begins and releases hydrogen and oxygen into enclosed atmosphere chambers where these separated gases can be captured for use in a fuel cell.
Claims19
A apparatus comprising:
- a reservoir for storing a fluid containing a photosynthesis living biomass, the reservoir being configured to allow sunlight to illuminate the fluid to allow photonic energy in the form of electrons to be captured within cells of the photosynthesis living biomass;
- an electrically-conductive primary conduit connected to the reservoir to allow the fluid to flow through the primary conduit, the primary conduit having a length and with a first terminal electrically connected thereto;
- an electrically-conductive secondary conduit having a length similar to the length of the primary conduit, being disposed substantially entirely within the primary conduit such that the fluid flows between the primary and secondary conduit, and having a second terminal electrically connected thereto;
- an electrical circuit or device electrically connected to the first and second terminals and configured to capture energy from a voltage difference existing at the first and second terminals,
- the voltage difference being generated by the release of the electrons from the cells of the photosynthesis living biomass caused by a change in an oxygen reduction potential of the fluid as it flows between the primary and secondary conduits.
An apparatus for collecting hydrogen gas from a photosynthesis process, the apparatus comprising:
- a reservoir for holding a photosynthetic living biomass and an aqueous liquid, the reservoir being configured to permit the introduction of light to the biomass and liquid, the reservoir comprising:
- a cathode;
- an anode;
- a membrane separating the cathode and the anode;
- a chamber, wherein one of the cathode and the anode is exposed to the aqueous liquid in the reservoir and the other of the cathode and the anode is exposed to the chamber, the chamber being configured to collect hydrogen gas resulting from electrolysis in the apparatus;
- and
- a device for modifying the oxygen reduction potential of the biomass and liquid to generate a residual voltage to supply to the cathode and anode of the reservoir, the device comprising:
- an electrically-conductive primary conduit having a length and with a first terminal electrically connected thereto;
- an electrically-conductive secondary conduit having a length similar to the length of the primary conduit, being disposed substantially entirely within the primary conduit, and having a second terminal electrically connected thereto;
- an electrical circuit or device electrically connected to the first and second terminals and configured to capture energy from a voltage difference existing at the first and second terminals caused by a modification to the oxygen reduction potential of the biomass and liquid as the biomass and liquid are flowed between the primary and secondary conduit.
A process for generating and collecting hydrogen gas from a photosynthetic living biomass comprising:
- creating an electrical current in a photosynthetic living biomass in an aqueous liquid under conditions sufficient to initiate electrolysis, the biomass being contained in a hydrogen harvester apparatus comprising:
- a reservoir for holding the photosynthetic living biomass and liquid;
- a cathode;
- an anode;
- and
- a membrane separating the cathode and the anode;
- introducing carbon dioxide into contact with at least one of the photosynthesis living biomass and the aqueous liquid;
- and
- collecting the hydrogen gas produced as a result of such electrolysis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.