An industrial-grade integrated algae photobioreactor for hydrogen production

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of algae cultivation and hydrogen production, and discloses an industrial-grade cultivation-integrated algae hydrogen production photobioreactor, comprising a frame and an algae cultivation and hydrogen production reactor arranged in the frame, wherein the frame comprises a metal frame, a metal tray, a metal liner and a metal cover plate, the metal tray is connected to the bottom of the metal frame, the metal frame is hooped outside the metal liner, the metal cover plate is arranged on the top of the metal liner and fixed on the metal frame, the reactor comprises an incubator, a top air intake and exhaust and algae intake control module, a water pump, an aeration device, a vacuum pump membrane filtration system and a submersible light module, the incubator is arranged inside the metal liner, the control module is arranged on the top of the incubator, the water pump is arranged on the bottom inner wall of the incubator, and the submersible light module is arranged inside the incubator, the industrial-grade cultivation-integrated algae hydrogen production photobioreactor has the advantages of high safety, low material cost, low operating cost, high production efficiency and simple operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of algae cultivation and hydrogen production, and in particular to an industrial-grade cultivation-integrated algae hydrogen production photobioreactor. Background Art

[0002] Hydrogen can be divided into gray hydrogen, blue hydrogen and green hydrogen according to its source. Gray hydrogen and blue hydrogen are derived from fossil fuels and involve a large amount of carbon emissions. They are not the core of future hydrogen energy development. Future hydrogen energy development will focus on green hydrogen. Algae photobiological hydrogen production belongs to the field of green hydrogen production. It is a biological process in which green algae split water to produce hydrogen through photosynthesis under anaerobic conditions.

[0003] Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a model organism for algae photobiological hydrogen production and is currently the most promising hydrogen-producing algae species for industrial application. The high cost of algae photobiological hydrogen production photoreactors is the biggest limiting factor for the industrialization of algae hydrogen production. Algae photobiological hydrogen production photoreactors need to meet the following technical conditions: (1) high safety (explosion-proof); (2) good airtightness; (3) easy hydrogen extraction and prevention of negative pressure air backflow; (4) algae cell suspension and collection; (5) high light energy utilization rate of algae cells.

[0004] In the laboratory stage, algae hydrogen production photobioreactors mostly use a combination of high borosilicate glass bottles and magnetic stirrers. The magnetic stirrers are used to suspend the algae cells in the reactor and produce hydrogen under light. However, this combination is expensive, and if the diameter of the glass bottle is too large, the blocking of light between cells will cause the hydrogen production to drop sharply, making it unsuitable for large-scale industrial applications.

[0005] At present, the closed photobioreactors such as closed pipeline reactors, plate reactors and thin film reactors that are widely used in industrial algae farming cannot meet the above five technical conditions for algae hydrogen production at the same time. The field of algae photobiological hydrogen production urgently needs industrial-grade photobioreactors with low material cost, high safety and high production efficiency.

[0006] Therefore, developing a low-cost industrial-grade algae photobiological hydrogen production photobioreactor is one of the core prerequisites for the industrial application of algae photobiological hydrogen production technology. To this end, we proposed an industrial-grade integrated algae hydrogen production photobioreactor. Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical problems solved: In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides an industrial-grade integrated algae hydrogen production photobioreactor, which solves the problems of reactor safety (explosion-proof), airtightness, hydrogen degassing and prevention of negative pressure air backflow, algae cell suspension and collection, and algae cell light energy utilization.

[0008] Technical solution: To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an industrial-grade integrated algae hydrogen production photobioreactor, comprising a frame and an algae culture and hydrogen production reactor arranged in the frame, the frame comprising a metal frame, a metal tray and a metal liner, the metal tray is connected to the bottom of the metal frame, the metal frame is surrounded by the outside of the metal liner, the metal frame is composed of a plurality of groups of hoops equidistantly arranged up and down and a plurality of groups of vertical connecting ribs, the bottom of the metal liner is directly connected to the metal tray, the metal liner is provided with circular holes up and down, the metal cover is arranged at the circular holes above the metal liner and fixed on the metal frame, the reactor comprises an incubator, a top air intake and exhaust and algae intake control module, a water pump, an aeration device, a vacuum pump membrane filtration system and a diving light module, the incubator is arranged inside the metal liner, the control module is arranged on the top of the incubator, the water pump is arranged on the bottom inner wall of the incubator, the diving light module is arranged inside the incubator, the aeration device is arranged at the bottom of the incubator, and the vacuum pump membrane filtration system is arranged at the lower outlet of the incubator.

[0009] Preferably, the incubator is arranged inside the frame, and external threaded openings are provided at both upper and lower ends of the incubator.

[0010] Preferably, the control module is located above the inner spiral cover body at the top of the incubator, and there are three outer spiral interfaces on the cover body, which are respectively connected to two inlet and exhaust quick plug connectors and one water inlet quick plug connector, and the inlet and exhaust quick plug connectors are connected to an air duct and a switch, and the exhaust quick plug interface is connected to a one-way check valve, a pressure control valve, and an air duct in sequence, and the water inlet quick plug connector is connected by a quick plug and a catheter.

[0011] Preferably, the water pump is located at the bottom of the incubator.

[0012] Preferably, the aeration device is located at the bottom of the culture box.

[0013] Preferably, the vacuum pump membrane filtration system is located at the water outlet at the bottom of the incubator, and the vacuum pump membrane filtration system includes a primary ball valve, a primary filter membrane, a secondary filter membrane, a connecting pipe, an inclined tube, and a three-way valve. The primary ball valve is fixedly installed on the water outlet end of the membrane filtration system, and the water outlet end is connected to the interior of the incubator. A filtration component is arranged inside the vacuum pump membrane filtration system, one side of which is connected to a connecting pipe, and the side of the connecting pipe is connected to an inclined tube, a three-way valve is arranged at the connection between the connecting pipe and the inclined tube, and the inclined tube is connected to the vacuum pump.

[0014] Preferably, the filter assembly includes a primary filter membrane and a secondary filter membrane, the primary filter membrane is located on a side close to the primary ball valve, the primary filter membrane has a pore size of 3 microns, and the secondary filter membrane has a pore size of 5 microns.

[0015] Preferably, the submersible light module includes five lamp tubes, each of which is covered with a waterproof glass cover and a sealing device. It is located inside the incubator and can provide a 360-degree light source, greatly improving the light energy utilization rate of the algae cells. The lamp tube is fixed to the top of the incubator with a plastic cable waterproof connector, and the bottom of the lamp tube is inserted into a silicone groove, which is glued to the bottom of the incubator. Four of the lamp tubes are located around the middle lamp tube, and the outer lamp tubes are connected to the middle part of the middle lamp tube through a horizontal rod-shaped component.

[0016] Preferably, a three-level gasket is provided between the top of the lamp tube and the waterproof joint to prevent water and air leakage and ensure the airtightness of the incubator.

[0017] Preferably, the metal frame and the metal inner liner form an explosion-proof layer, and a metal cover plate is fixedly installed on the top of the metal inner liner at a position corresponding to the control module.

[0018] Beneficial effects: Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides an industrial-grade integrated algae hydrogen production photobioreactor, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] 1. This industrial-grade integrated algae hydrogen production photobioreactor has the advantages of high safety, low material cost, low operating cost, high production efficiency, and easy operation. It significantly reduces the cost of photoreactors in this field and makes up for the shortcoming of the lack of industrial-grade photoreactors in this field.

[0020] 2. The explosion-proof layer composed of the metal frame and the metal liner of the industrial-grade integrated algae hydrogen production photobioreactor has great rigidity and strength, and can provide a higher pressure from the inside to the outside or from the outside to the inside, thereby playing an explosion-proof role.

[0021] 3. This industrial-grade integrated algae hydrogen production photobioreactor solves the problems of reactor safety (explosion-proof), airtightness, hydrogen extraction and prevention of negative pressure air backflow, algae cell suspension and collection, and algae cell light energy utilization. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 It is a vertical side sectional schematic diagram of the right side of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 It is a front vertical side sectional schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the vacuum pump membrane filtration system of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lamp tube;

[0028] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the framework.

[0029] In the figure: 1. frame; 2. reactor; 3. metal frame; 4. metal tray; 5. metal liner; 6. metal cover; 7. incubator; 8. control module; 9. water pump; 10. aeration device; 11. vacuum pump membrane filtration system; 12. submersible light module; 13. cover body; 14. external spiral interface; 15. lamp tube; 16. silicone tank; 17. primary ball valve; 18. primary filter membrane; 19. secondary filter membrane; 20. connecting pipe; 21. inclined pipe; 22. three-way valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 1- Figure 7 An industrial-grade algae cultivation and hydrogen production photobioreactor includes a frame 1 and an algae cultivation and hydrogen production reactor 2 arranged in the frame 1.

[0032] The frame 1 includes a metal frame 3, a metal tray 4 and a metal liner 5. The metal tray 4 is connected to the bottom of the metal frame 3. The metal frame 3 is surrounded by the outside of the metal liner 5. The metal frame 3 is composed of a plurality of groups of horizontal hoops and a plurality of groups of vertical connecting ribs equidistantly arranged up and down. The bottom of the metal liner 5 is directly connected to the metal tray 4. The metal liner 5 is provided with circular holes up and down. The metal cover plate 6 is arranged at the circular hole above the metal liner. The metal cover plate 6 is fixed on the metal frame 3. The metal frame 3 and the metal liner 5 have greater rigidity and strength, and can provide a higher pressure from the inside to the outside or from the outside to the inside, thereby playing an explosion-proof role.

[0033] The reactor includes a culture box 7, a top air intake and exhaust and algae intake control module 8, a water pump 9, an aeration device 10, a vacuum pump membrane filtration system 11 and a submersible light module 12. The control module 8 is arranged on the top of the culture box 7, the water pump 9 is arranged on the bottom inner wall of the culture box 7, the submersible light module 12 is arranged inside the culture box 7, the aeration device 10 is arranged at the bottom of the culture box, and the vacuum pump membrane filtration system 11 is arranged at the lower outlet of the culture box 7.

[0034] The incubator 7 is arranged in the frame 1, and the materials include but are not limited to food-grade plastic, plastic, glass and metal, etc., to ensure that the incubator will not be dangerous under a certain air pressure during hydrogen production. The upper and lower ends of the incubator 7 are provided with external threaded openings.

[0035] The control module 8 is located on the inner spiral cover body at the top of the incubator 7. There are three outer spiral interfaces 14 on the cover body 13. The three outer spiral interfaces 14 are respectively connected to two air inlet and outlet quick-plug connectors and a water inlet quick-plug connector. The air inlet and outlet quick-plug connectors are connected to an air pipe and a switch. The exhaust quick-plug connector is connected to a one-way check valve (algae cells only produce hydrogen under anaerobic conditions. The check valve can prevent the algae liquid in the early box from consuming gas to form a negative pressure, causing air to enter the box and unable to form an anaerobic environment), followed by a pressure control valve (to adjust the hydrogen discharge pressure), and then an air pipe. The water inlet quick-plug connector is connected by a quick plug and a conduit, which is used to add the initial algae species (it can release the algae inlet pressure at the drain outlet below the box, so that the drain outlet below is only responsible for the inlet and outlet of liquid culture medium).

[0036] The water pump 9 is located at the bottom of the incubator 7, opposite to the lower water outlet of the incubator 7, has a power of 15-50 watts, and is used for suspending algae cells, including but not limited to the use of a wave pump or a submersible pump that can create irregular turbulence or various waveforms.

[0037] The aeration device 10 is located at the bottom of the culture box 7, parallel to the water pump 9, and is mainly used to provide carbon dioxide and other gases required for the growth of photobiology during the algae cell culture period, and quickly discharge oxygen in the box.

[0038] The vacuum pump membrane filtration system 11 is located at the water outlet at the bottom of the incubator 7. The vacuum pump membrane filtration system 11 includes a primary ball valve 17, a primary filter membrane 18, a secondary filter membrane 19, a connecting pipe 20, an inclined tube 21, and a three-way valve 22. The primary ball valve 17 is fixedly installed on the water outlet end of the membrane filtration system, and the water outlet end is connected to the interior of the incubator 7. A filtering component is arranged inside the vacuum pump membrane filtration system 11, one side of which is connected to a connecting pipe 20, and the side of the connecting pipe 20 is connected to an inclined tube 21. A three-way valve 22 is arranged at the connection between the connecting pipe 20 and the inclined tube 21, and the inclined tube 21 is connected to an external vacuum pump.

[0039] The filtration component includes a primary filter membrane 18 and a secondary filter membrane 19. The primary filter membrane 18 is located on the side close to the primary ball valve 17. The pore size of the primary filter membrane 18 is 3 microns, and the pore size of the secondary filter membrane 19 is 5 microns. The material can be a ceramic filter element or a combination of a ceramic filter element and a membrane filter membrane. During the culture stage, the culture medium is injected into the culture box from the water inlet end through a water pump. After the culture stage and hydrogen production are completed, the vacuum pump and water pump are used to discharge the culture medium, and the algae cells remain in the culture box for the next round of hydrogen production or algae collection.

[0040] The submersible light module 12 includes five lamp tubes 15, each of which is covered with a waterproof glass cover and is located inside the incubator 7. The lamp tubes 15 are fixed to the top of the incubator 7 with a plastic cable waterproof connector. The bottom of the lamp tubes 15 is inserted into a silicone groove 16, and the silicone groove 16 is glued to the bottom of the incubator 7. Four groups of lamp tubes 15 are located around the middle lamp tube 15, and the outer lamp tubes 15 are connected to the middle part of the middle lamp tube 15 through a horizontal rod-shaped component. A three-level gasket is arranged between the top of the lamp tube 15 and the waterproof connector for waterproofing and air leakage prevention.

[0041] The metal frame 3 and the metal liner 5 form an explosion-proof layer, and a metal cover plate 6 is fixedly installed on the top of the metal liner 5 at a position corresponding to the control module 7. The metal cover plate 6 protects the interface and wire tube led out from the control module 7. The metal cover plate 6 is fixed to the metal frame 3. Two cross bars are fixedly installed on the top of the metal frame 3 at a position corresponding to the metal liner 5. The cross bars are used to fix the upper part of the metal liner 5.

[0042] Working principle: The working process of the reactor is divided into the algae cultivation stage and the hydrogen production stage. In the cultivation stage, first pump in the liquid culture medium from the lower water inlet, accounting for 90-99 vol% of the total volume, then insert the algae delivery tube into the upper liquid inlet quick plug, connect 1-10 vol% initial algae liquid, close all the upper and lower water inlets and outlets, keep the upper air inlet and outlet open, turn on the water pump 9 to fully suspend the algae cells, turn on the diving light module 12 to allow the algae cells within 360 degrees around the diving light to receive light energy, turn on the explosion device 10 to provide the algae cells with carbon dioxide and other gases required for photosynthesis and discharge the oxygen generated in the incubator (at the same time, it plays the role of suspending algae cells), cultivate for 3-4 days, turn off the explosion device 10, turn off the diving light module 12, keep the water pump 9 turned on to avoid the accumulation of algae cells at the water outlet, use the vacuum pump membrane filtration system 11 to extract the liquid culture medium in the reactor, and turn off the water pump 9 after the liquid is extracted. At this time, the algae cells remain in the incubator, and the cultivation stage ends. Then, the hydrogen production liquid culture medium is pumped in from the lower liquid inlet, all the inlet and outlet air and water inlet and outlet valves are closed to make the whole device completely closed, the water pump 9 is turned on to fully suspend the algae cells, the diving light module 12 is turned on to make the algae cells fully receive light energy, the explosion device 10 is kept closed, and the culture is carried out for 48 hours. After the algae liquid reaches the zero oxygen period, the conduit with a check valve is connected to the inlet and outlet quick plug, the exhaust valve is opened, and the hydrogen is discharged and collected. After the hydrogen production period is over, the liquid culture medium in the reactor is extracted through the water pump 9 and the vacuum pump membrane filtration system 11, and the algae cells are collected for other uses. During the entire culture and hydrogen production process, the explosion-proof layer composed of the metal frame 3 and the metal liner 5 provides a strong support and protection for the reactor, and the metal cover plate 6 can also be used to ensure the safety of the control module 8 above the reactor.

[0043] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An industrial-grade integrated algae hydrogen production photobioreactor, characterized in that: The invention comprises a frame (1) and a reactor (2) for algae cultivation and hydrogen production arranged in the frame (1); the frame (1) comprises a metal frame (3), a metal tray (4), a metal liner (5) and a metal cover plate (6); the metal tray (4) is connected to the bottom of the metal frame (3); the metal frame (3) is surrounded by the outside of the metal liner (5); the metal frame (3) is composed of a plurality of groups of hoops arranged equidistantly from top to bottom and a plurality of groups of vertical connecting ribs; the bottom of the metal liner (5) is directly connected to the metal tray (4); the metal liner (5) is provided with circular holes at the top and bottom; the metal cover plate (6) is arranged at the circular hole above the metal liner (5) and is fixed to the metal frame (3); The reactor comprises a culture box (7), a top air inlet and outlet control module (8), a water pump (9), an aeration device (10), a vacuum pump membrane filtration system (11) and a diving light module (12); the control module (8) is located on the inner spiral cover body at the top of the culture box (7); the cover body (13) is provided with three outer spiral interfaces (14); the three outer spiral interfaces (14) are respectively connected to two air inlet and outlet quick plug connectors and a water inlet quick plug connector; the air inlet and outlet quick plug connector is connected to an air guide tube and a switch; the air inlet and outlet quick plug connector is connected in sequence to a one-way check valve, a pressure control valve and an air guide tube; the water inlet quick plug connector is connected to a quick plug and a guide tube; the water pump (9) is located at the bottom of the culture box (7), on the opposite side of the lower water outlet of the culture box (7); the aeration device (10) is located at The bottom of the incubator (7) is parallel to the water pump (9); the vacuum pump membrane filtration system (11) is located at the water outlet at the bottom of the incubator (7); the vacuum pump membrane filtration system (11) comprises a primary ball valve (17), a primary filter membrane (18), a secondary filter membrane (19), a connecting pipe (20), an inclined pipe (21), and a three-way valve (22); the primary ball valve (17) is fixedly mounted on the water outlet end of the membrane filtration system; the water outlet end is connected to the interior of the incubator (7); a filtration assembly is arranged inside the vacuum pump membrane filtration system (11); one side of the connecting pipe (20) is connected to the inclined pipe (21); a three-way valve (22) is arranged at the connection between the connecting pipe (20) and the inclined pipe (21); the inclined pipe (21) is connected to the vacuum pump, and is distributed in a Y shape.

2. The industrial-grade integrated algae hydrogen production photobioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The incubator (7) is arranged inside the frame (1), and external threaded openings are provided at both upper and lower ends of the incubator (7).

3. The industrial-grade integrated algae hydrogen production photobioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter assembly comprises a primary filter membrane (18) and a secondary filter membrane (19), wherein the primary filter membrane (18) is located on a side close to the primary ball valve (17), the primary filter membrane (18) has a pore size of 3 microns, and the secondary filter membrane (19) has a pore size of 5 microns.

4. The industrial-grade integrated algae hydrogen production photobioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The submersible light module (12) comprises five light tubes (15), each light tube (15) is covered with a waterproof glass cover and is located inside the incubator (7). The light tubes (15) are fixed to the top of the incubator (7) by means of a plastic cable waterproof connector. The bottom of the light tubes (15) is inserted into a silicone groove (16), and the silicone groove (16) is glued to the bottom of the incubator (7). Four groups of light tubes (15) are located around the middle light tube (15), and the outer light tubes (15) are connected to the middle part of the middle light tube (15) by means of a transverse rod-shaped component.

5. The industrial-grade integrated algae hydrogen production photobioreactor according to claim 4, characterized in that: A three-level gasket is provided between the top of the lamp tube (15) and the waterproof joint.

6. The industrial-grade integrated algae hydrogen production photobioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The metal frame (3) and the metal liner (5) form an explosion-proof layer, and a metal cover plate (6) is fixedly installed on the top of the metal liner (5) at a position corresponding to the control module (8), and the metal cover plate protects the interface and wire tube leading out from the control module (8).

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