Photobioreactor and uses therefor

Abstract

The present invention provides novel photobioreactors, modules thereof, and methods for use in culturing and harvesting algae and cyanobacteria.

Description

[0001] cross reference [0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 775174, filed February 21, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 799930, filed May 12, 2006 Priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application for , both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Background technique [0003] Microalgae and cyanobacteria (referred to as algae) are tiny plants that usually require simple mineral nutrients for growth and reproduction. By harnessing photon energy, such as sunlight and artificial lighting, algae photosynthetically convert water and carbon dioxide into high-value organic compounds (eg, pigments, proteins, fatty acids, carbohydrates, and secondary metabolites). Due to their exceptionally efficient light utilization and nutrient utilization, algae exhibit an order of magnitude higher growth potential than higher plants. [0004] Algae are a fairly diverse group of organisms with more ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Third, mechanical pumps commonly used in tubular photobioreactors to facilitate mixing and circulation of cell cultures in long tubes can cause severe cell damage

[0011] However, the application of plate-type reactors has encountered major engineering hurdles, namely, that it is difficult to scale up said plate-type reactors into a commercial level reactor design.

Therefore, the plate reactor is only used as a bench-top culture device and a small-scale field culture unit for studying the growth physiology of algae, and it has never been applied to the industrial cultivation of algae.

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