BIOMASS PRODUCTION

摘要

A process of growing a phototrophic biomass in a reaction zone, including a reaction mixture that is operative for effecting photosynthesis upon exposure to photosynthetically active light radiation, is provided. The reaction mixture includes phototrophic biomass that is operative for growth within the reaction zone. In one aspect, the carbon dioxide supply is modulated in response to detected process parameters. In another aspect, inputs to the reaction zone are modulated based on changes to the carbon dioxide supply. In another aspect, dilution of the carbon dioxide-comprising supply is effected. In another aspect, pressure of the carbon dioxide-comprising supply is increased. In another aspect, water is condensed from the carbon dioxide-comprising supply and recovered for re-use. In another aspect, the produced phototrophic biomass is harvested at a rate which approximates a predetermined mass growth rate of the phototrophic biomass.

主权项

1. A process for growing a phototrophic biomass in a reaction zone, wherein the reaction zone includes a reaction mixture that is operative for effecting photosynthesis upon exposure to photosynthetically active light radiation, wherein the reaction mixture includes phototrophic biomass that is operative for growth within the reaction zone, comprising:
while exposing the reaction mixture to photosynthetically active light radiation and effecting growth of the phototrophic biomass in the reaction zone, wherein the effected growth includes growth effected by photosynthesis, and while discharging phototrophic biomass from the reaction zone, when a phototrophic biomass growth indicator is different than a target value of the phototrophic biomass growth indicator, modulating the rate of discharge of mass of the phototrophic biomass from the reaction zone, wherein the target value of the phototrophic biomass growth indicator is based upon a predetermined growth rate of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture which is disposed within the reaction zone and is being exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation, and wherein the predetermined growth rate of the phototrophic biomass is at least 90% of the maximum rate of growth of the mass of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture which is disposed within the reaction zone and is being exposed to the photosynthetically active light radiation.