Method and apparatus for microbial biomass production from a cell culture system

摘要

A continual harvesting process from a micro-biological cultivation system (2), comprising: (a) breeding algae in an aqueous nutrient while exploiting electro-kinetic mechanisms; and (b) passing the nutrient and algae flow through a flocculation zone (5), in the vicinity of a direct current electrode system (8), where gas bubbles raise the harvest to the surface as foam (13) for removal, is new. A continual harvesting process from a micro-biological cultivation system (2), comprising: (a) breeding algae in an aqueous nutrient while exploiting electro-kinetic mechanisms; and (b) passing the suspension of nutrient and algae flow through a flocculation zone (5), in the vicinity of a direct current electrode system (8), to a second electrode (9) floatation zone (6) where gas bubbles raise the harvest to the surface as foam (13) for removal by scoop or discharge via a weir to a trap (14), and residual fluid is returned to the cultivation system, is new. An Independent claim is also given for a commensurate assembly (1), comprising: (a) an open or closed cultivation system (2); (b) a by-pass having an inlet (3) and an outlet (4); (c) a flocculation zone (5); (d) a floatation zone (6); (e) an enrichment zone (7); (f) an outlet (4); and (g) two sets of electrodes (9) with different sources of power.