SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR POSITIONING FLEXIBLE FLOATING PHOTOBIOREACTORS

摘要

A top reference photobioreactor system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a flexible floating photobioreactor having a buoyancy tube filled with a gas that is less dense, and a ballast tube filled with a substance, such as saltwater, that is more dense, than the liquid in which the photobioreactor floats. A top reference photobioreactor method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes controlling a depth of the top reference photobioreactor by controlling a volume and/or density of ballast in the ballast tube and/or by controlling a volume and/or density of gas in the buoyancy tube.

主权项

1. A photobioreactor system comprising:
a reservoir containing liquid, the liquid having a top surface level; a photobioreactor, wherein the photobioreactor is flexible and is floating in the liquid, the photobioreactor comprising:
a growth chamber containing media in which organisms may be grown;a ballast chamber containing a first fluid, the first fluid having a first effective density greater than that of the liquid, such that the ballast chamber exerts a first force on the photobioreactor in a downward direction; anda buoyancy chamber containing a second fluid, the second fluid having a second effective density less than that of the liquid, such that the buoyancy chamber exerts a second force on the photobioreactor in an upward direction.