PHOTOBIOREACTOR

摘要

A photobioreactor system includes vessel for containing a biomass and a plurality of illuminators which may have solid state devices embedded therein or coupled thereto. The light energy is distributed in the vessel volume by the illuminators so as to reach substantially all of the biomass being circulated in the vessel. Biomass may exit the top of the vessel and be refreshed with nutrients and liquid before being reintroduced at the bottom of the vessel. Carbon dioxide is introduced at the bottom of the vessel. The biomass may be agitated either ultrasonically or by motion of the illuminators. A source of energy for the light sources may be solar panels with battery storage and the carbon dioxide may be a byproduct of thermal power generation.

主权项

1. A system, comprising:
a photobioreactor vessel having:
a container having a vertical dimension greater than any linear horizontal direction and having a top end and a bottom end thereof;a top closure and a watertight bottom closure disposed to cover the top end and the bottom end of the container, respectively;an illuminator emitting light energy and comprising a plurality of horizontal sheets spaced apart by a vertical distance, each sheet having a plurality of apertures formed therein so as to permit fluid flow between opposing sides of the sheet; anda first inlet at a bottom portion of the photobioreactor vessel adapted to receive a pressurized gas.