APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PHOTOSYNTHETIC GROWTH OF MICROORGANISMS IN A PHOTOBIOREACTOR

摘要

System and methods for enhancing mass production of algae, diatoms or other photosynthetic organism are described, involving the use of light arrays configured to provide photosynthetically effective illumination from closely distributed lights spaced at strategic intervals in order to appropriately increase contact between photosynthetic water-based organisms and light. Illumination and/or nutrient provision can be timed so as to disperse light and/or nutrients when the organism is in a receiving mode. A process flow system is also described which can be scaled for the mass production of photosynthetic based organism, and which can be set up in modular and preferably portable form. The systems and methods are useful in applications such as energy production, fuels, foods, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and CO2 fixation. Also described are systems and methods for lysing cells and extracting components, and for producing electricity with CO2 recycling.