Method and system for harvesting micro organisms

摘要

In an embodiment of the invention, aqueous growth medium in a pond can be used to grow algae which can be pumped to a primary dewatering device where the algae can be separated from the harvested growth media based on the flow of the harvested growth media and gravity. The flow through the primary de-watering device can be optimized to maintain log phase growth in the pond, while minimizing the pumping cost and maximizing the concentration of total solids in the primary de-watered algae.

主权项

1. A method of fractionating algae comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving an aqueous growth medium (AGM) containing one or more species of algae in a pond comprising a primary de-watering device (PDWD), wherein the PDWD comprises an entrance, a back wall, one or more baffles, a sloped floor with one or more exits; (b) transferring a portion of the AGM comprising growth media to be harvested (GMH) into the PDWD entrance at a first flow rate; (c) fractionating the GMH in the PDWD into a top fraction having a first concentration of algae and a bottom fraction having a second concentration of algae, where the PDWD fractionates based on at least the first flow rate and a settling time, where at least one exit for the top fraction is direct flow to the pond for algaculture; (d) removing the top fraction through at least one exit and returning to the pond; and (e) removing and collecting the bottom fraction through the one or more exits.