METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR CULTIVATING PHOTOTROPIC MICROORGANISMS

摘要

Method and apparatus for biomass cultivation (preferably using algae) incorporating photo bio-reactor (PBR) technology coupled with a heat sink to increase energy efficiency. An external PBR array is coupled to an indoor storage tank system with a volume equal to or greater than the volume of the PBR array. A controller can be used to optimize the growth of biomass by optimizing three key growth parameters: exposure to sunlight, temperature and nutrients. The indoor tank system serves as a reservoir where algae can be protected from harsh ambient conditions, minimizing the cost of energy for heating and cooling that would normally be incurred to accommodate ambient temperature swings caused by weather if the biomass is always stored in an outdoor PBR array. During cold winter nights, the biomass can be brought indoors to conserve thermal energy. High energy efficiency can be achieved when the heat sink consists of a second holding tank and a second tubing array, and the swings in the ambient temperature are exploited to add or reject energy from the biomass cultivation.

主权项

1. An apparatus for cultivating phototropic organisms for harvest, the system comprising:
(a) a photo-bioreactor (PBR) component exposed to the ambient environment, such that colonized growth medium in the PBR is exposed to sunlight during daylight hours; (b) a colonized growth media holding volume disposed in an area protected from sunlight and ambient temperatures, the holding volume being configured to be placed in fluid communication with the PBR; (c) a first sensor element for monitoring temperature conditions in the PBR, and; (d) a control system configured to automatically implement at least one of the following functions: (i) moving the colonized growth medium from the PBR into the holding volume to prevent colonized growth medium in the PBR from being exposed to undesirable temperatures; and (ii) moving the growth medium from the holding volume into the PBR to expose the colonized growth medium to growth conditions; (e) an serpentine or array of outdoor tubing in fluid communication with a pump and with a second holding volume containing a heat transfer fluid, said second holding volume disposed in an area protected from sunlight and ambient temperatures with said holding volume large enough to hold all of the heat transfer fluid in the outdoor tubing; (f) a circulator configured to circulate the heat transfer fluid in the second holding tank through a thermal conditioning component connected to the colonized growth media holding tank. (g) a control system configured to automatically implement at least one of the following functions: (i) moving the heat transfer fluid from the second holding volume to the into the thermal conditioning component connected to the colonized growth media holding volume to prevent colonized growth medium in the PBR from being exposed to undesirable temperatures; and (ii) circulating the heat transfer fluid from the second holding volume into the array of outdoor tubing to heat or cool the heat transfer fluid as necessitated by daytime ambient temperatures.