Photobioreactor and photobioreactor aeration method

Abstract

The invention provides a photobioreactor, comprising: a solution tank for holding a culture solution; the air supply module is at least partially arranged in the solution tank and is used for respectively releasing vortex ring bubbles and small bubbles into the culture solution; the monitoring module comprises a pH value sensor and an optical sensor, and the pH value sensor is arranged in the solution tank and used for monitoring the pH value of the culture solution to obtain a pH value signal; the optical sensor is arranged on the side wall of the solution tank and is used for monitoring the wall surface of the side wall to obtain a deposition signal; and the control module is electrically connected with the monitoring module and the gas supply module, and the control module is used for receiving the pH value signal and the deposition signal and controlling the gas supply module to release the vortex ring bubbles or the small bubbles. The photobioreactor provided by the invention is beneficial to improving the yield of photosynthetic organism cells. The invention also provides a photobioreactor aeration method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a photobioreactor and a photobioreactor aeration method using the photobioreactor. Background Art

[0002] Current photobioreactors usually use a constant gas source to supply gas, resulting in a single fluid flow field and a stable fluid flow pattern, which in turn leads to the generation of a low-speed fluid zone. The low-speed area will cause the cultured cells to be unable to move in the reaction vessel. When the culture concentration is high, since the intensity of the illumination light decreases with distance, some cells that remain in the low-speed fluid zone cannot carry out effective photosynthesis, resulting in reduced production efficiency and even cell death, thereby contaminating the entire culture system. In addition, if the low-speed zone is located on the side wall of the reaction vessel, it may be deposited and attached to the side wall, which may block the illumination light source on the one hand, and on the other hand, the residual substances will contaminate the reaction vessel. Summary of the invention

[0003] In one aspect, the present application provides a photobioreactor, comprising:

[0004] A solution tank, used for holding culture solution;

[0005] An air supply module, at least partially disposed in the solution tank, for respectively releasing vortex ring bubbles and small bubbles into the culture solution;

[0006] A monitoring module, comprising a pH sensor and an optical sensor, wherein the pH sensor is disposed in the solution tank and is used to monitor the pH value of the culture solution to obtain a pH signal; the optical sensor is disposed on a side wall of the solution tank and is used to monitor the wall surface of the side wall to obtain a deposition signal;

[0007] A control module is electrically connected to the monitoring module and the air supply module, and is used to receive the pH value signal and the deposition signal, and to control the air supply module to release the vortex ring bubbles or the small bubbles.

[0008] The photobioreactor provided in the embodiment of the present application can release vortex ring bubbles by setting up the gas supply module, can fully stir the culture solution in the solution tank, so that the biological cells in the culture solution can fully flow, thereby improving the uniformity of the illumination of the biological cells by the external lighting light, and can avoid the biological cells in the culture solution from being deposited on the side wall of the solution tank, resulting in contamination of the solution tank. By setting up the gas supply module, small bubbles can be released, and the gases required for survival, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, can be provided to the biological cells in the culture solution. Since the specific surface area of ​​the small bubbles is relatively larger, they can be fully in contact with the culture solution. In addition, when the carbon dioxide is dissolved in the culture solution, the pH value of the culture solution can also be adjusted, so that the culture solution is maintained at a pH value suitable for the growth of biological cells, which is conducive to improving production efficiency. By setting up the control module and the monitoring module, the pH value in the solution tank and the deposition status of the biological cells on the side wall of the solution tank can be obtained in real time, so as to control the gas supply module to release vortex ring bubbles and small bubbles, and the aeration time and aeration amount of the vortex ring bubbles and small bubbles can be adjusted, thereby improving the culture efficiency of the biological cells.

[0009] In one embodiment, the air supply module includes a vortex ring generating device, and the vortex ring generating device includes:

[0010] A top wall, wherein a first through hole and a second through hole are formed on the top wall, wherein the first through hole is used to discharge the vortex ring bubbles, and the second through hole is used to discharge the small bubbles;

[0011] a cavity wall, wherein the cavity wall is arranged around one side of the top wall to form a gas cavity together with the top wall; a first gas inlet and a second gas inlet are opened on the cavity wall, the first gas inlet and the first through hole are connected through the gas cavity; the second gas inlet and the second through hole are connected through a connecting pipe and isolated from the gas cavity; and

[0012] The siphon baffle is accommodated in the gas cavity, and the siphon baffle is arranged around the first through hole to form an acceleration cavity.

[0013] In one embodiment, the side of the top wall away from the cavity wall comprises a diffusion surface, the diffusion surface is recessed toward a side close to the gas cavity, and the first through hole is located at the bottom end of the recess of the diffusion surface.

[0014] In one embodiment, a supporting structure is further provided around the top wall, and the supporting structure abuts against the side wall to fix the position of the vortex ring generating device in the solution tank.

[0015] In one embodiment, the air supply module also includes an air intake module; the air intake module includes a first air intake pipe, a second air intake pipe and an air valve; the first air intake pipe is connected to the first air inlet port, and the second air intake pipe is connected to the second air inlet port; the air valve is used to control the on-off and air intake volume of the first air intake pipe and the second air intake pipe.

[0016] In one embodiment, the gas supply module further includes a gas tank, which is connected to the first air inlet pipe and the second air inlet pipe, and is used to store gas and provide the gas to the vortex ring generating device.

[0017] In one embodiment, the control module includes a calculation module and an alarm module, the calculation module is used to receive the pH value signal and the deposition signal and calculate the release time of the vortex ring bubbles and the small bubbles; the alarm module is used to issue an alarm when the pH value signal and the deposition signal exceed a set range.

[0018] In one embodiment, the optical sensor is further used to sense the concentration of the solution in the solution tank to generate a concentration signal; the control module is further used to adjust the ventilation volume of the air supply module according to the concentration signal.

[0019] On the other hand, the present application provides a photobioreactor aeration method, which is applied to the above-mentioned photobioreactor, and comprises:

[0020] Acquiring the pH value of the culture solution to generate a pH signal, and setting the aeration time of the small bubbles according to the pH signal;

[0021] Optical information of the side wall of the solution tank is obtained to generate a deposition signal, and the aeration frequency and aeration duration of the vortex ring bubbles are set according to the deposition signal.

[0022] The photobioreactor exposure method provided in the present application can adjust the pH value of the culture solution in the solution tank by obtaining the pH value of the culture solution in the solution tank and adjusting the aeration time of the small bubbles according to the pH value, so that the culture solution is maintained at a pH value suitable for the growth of biological cells, which is beneficial to improving production efficiency. By obtaining the optical information of the side wall of the solution tank, it can be determined whether the biological cells in the culture solution begin to deposit on the side wall, and the aeration frequency and aeration duration of the vortex ring bubbles are set according to the deposition signal, so as to fully stir the culture solution and avoid the biological cells from contaminating the solution tank, so that the biological cells are more evenly illuminated, which is beneficial to improving the culture efficiency.

[0023] In one embodiment, the photobioreactor exposure method also includes: obtaining the concentration of the solution in the solution tank to generate a concentration signal; setting the aeration amount of the small bubbles in combination with the concentration signal and the pH signal; and setting the aeration amount of the vortex ring bubbles in combination with the concentration signal and the deposition signal.

[0024] In one embodiment, the photobioreactor exposure method further comprises: determining whether the pH value signal and the deposition signal exceed preset values, and if so, issuing an alarm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of a photobioreactor in one embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the vortex ring generating device in the embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the III-III cross-sectional structure.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the principle of generating a vortex ring by the vortex ring generating device in an embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a photobioreactor in another embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 6 Flow chart of a photobioreactor aeration method in one embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Main component symbols

[0032] Photobioreactor 100

[0033] Solution tank 10

[0034] Bottom wall 11

[0035] Side wall 13

[0036] Air intake hole 132

[0037] Air supply module 30

[0038] Vortex ring generating device 31

[0039] Top wall 311

[0040] Diffusion surface 3111

[0041] First through hole 3112

[0042] The second through hole 3114

[0043] Gas cavity 312

[0044] Cavity wall 313

[0045] First air inlet 3132

[0046] Second air inlet 3134

[0047] Siphon baffle 315

[0048] Acceleration chamber 316

[0049] Connecting pipe 317

[0050] Support structure 319

[0051] First air pipe 3191

[0052] Second air pipe 3193

[0053] Intake module 33

[0054] First air intake pipe 331

[0055] Second air intake pipe 333

[0056] Air valve 335

[0057] Gas tank 337

[0058] Flow meter 339

[0059] Monitoring module 50

[0060] pH sensor 51

[0061] Optical sensor 53

[0062] Control module 70

[0063] Operation module 71

[0064] Alarm module 73

[0065] Culture medium L

[0066] Vortex ring bubble V

[0067] Small Bubble G

[0068] Gas Q

[0069] Steps S1 and S2

[0070] The following specific implementation methods will further illustrate the present application in conjunction with the above-mentioned drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments.

[0072] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application.

[0073] In order to further explain the technical means and effects adopted by the present application to achieve the intended purpose, the present application is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred implementation methods.

[0074] See also Figure 1 The photobioreactor 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application includes a solution tank 10, an air supply module 30, a monitoring module 50 and a control module 70. The solution tank 10 is used to hold a culture solution L, and the air supply module 30 is at least partially disposed in the solution tank 10, so as to release vortex ring bubbles V and small bubbles G into the culture solution L, respectively. The monitoring module 50 includes a pH sensor 51 and an optical sensor 53. The pH sensor 41 is disposed in the solution tank 10, so as to monitor the pH value of the culture solution L to obtain a pH value signal. The optical sensor 53 is disposed on the side wall 13 of the solution tank 10, so as to monitor the wall surface of the side wall 13 to obtain a deposition signal. The control module 70 is electrically connected to the monitoring module 50 and the air supply module 30, so as to receive a pH value signal and a deposition signal, and to control the air supply module 30 to release the vortex ring bubbles V or the small bubbles G.

[0075] Specifically, the photobioreactor 100 is used to cultivate photosynthetic cells such as microalgae. This embodiment takes microalgae as an example, but is not limited thereto. The photobioreactor 100 may also include an illumination light source (not shown), or may be directly placed in an environment with an illumination light source, which is not limited in this application. The culture solution L includes microalgae cells and a solution that provides nutrients for the microalgae cells. The gas supply module 30 ventilates the culture solution L, thereby providing the microalgae cells with carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and oxygen for respiration. Among them, the vortex ring bubble V is an annular bubble, and the gas rotates radially in the vortex ring, thereby driving the culture solution L near the vortex ring bubble V to rotate. Since the volume of the vortex ring bubble V is large, the culture solution L can be fully stirred during the rising process, and the liquid near the side wall 13 is driven to move, so that the position near the side wall 13 has a higher velocity gradient, thereby reducing the attachment of microalgae cells, or flushing down the microalgae attached to the side wall 13, but the vortex ring bubble V also has the disadvantages of relatively small area and low gas mass transfer efficiency. The small bubbles G are multiple continuous small-volume bubbles, and their volume is much smaller than that of the vortex ring bubbles V, and they have a higher comparative area, so the gas mass transfer efficiency is high. However, the rising path of the small bubbles G is relatively fixed, and the culture solution L cannot be stirred well, resulting in the existence of a low flow rate area in the culture solution L, which in turn leads to a low yield of microalgae cells in the low flow rate area. In addition, since the surface of the microalgae cells has adhesive substances, they are easily attached to the side wall 13 of the solution tank 10, affecting the irradiation of the lighting light source. The embodiment of the present application controls the gas supply module 30 to release the vortex ring bubbles V and the small bubbles G in the culture solution L respectively, so that the gas mass transfer efficiency can be improved while the culture solution L is fully stirred, which is conducive to increasing the yield of microalgae cells, and then increasing the yield of fucoxanthin extracted from the microalgae.

[0076] In this embodiment, the solution tank 10 includes a bottom wall 11 and a side wall 13, and the side wall 13 is arranged around the bottom wall 11 and extends in a direction away from the bottom plate 11 to form a columnar structure. The length of the side wall 13 in the direction away from the bottom wall 11 can be, for example, 1m-3m, so as to make full use of the vortex ring bubbles V and small bubbles G released by the air supply module 30, and the present application does not limit this.

[0077] In this embodiment, the air supply module 30 includes a vortex ring generating device 31 and an air intake module 33, and the vortex ring generating device 31 is disposed in the solution tank 10. Specifically, the vortex ring generating device 31 is disposed in the solution tank 10 near the bottom wall 11, and abuts against the side wall 13 to be fixed in the solution tank 10. The air intake module 33 is connected to the vortex ring generating device 31 to supply air to the vortex ring generating device 31.

[0078] Specifically, please see Figure 2 and Figure 3The vortex ring generating device 31 includes a top wall 311, a cavity wall 313 and a siphon baffle 315. The cavity wall 313 is arranged on one side of the top wall 311, and the cavity wall 313 is arranged around one side of the top wall 311. The top wall 311 and the cavity wall 313 together form a gas cavity 312 with a bottom opening. A first through hole 3112 is provided on the top wall 311, and a first air inlet 3132 is provided on the cavity wall 313. The first air inlet 3132 is connected to the first through hole 3112 through the gas cavity 312. The siphon baffle 315 is accommodated in the gas cavity 312, and the siphon baffle 315 is arranged around the first through hole 3112 to form an acceleration cavity 316. The aperture of the acceleration cavity 316 increases as it moves away from the first through hole 3112, and the acceleration cavity 316 is connected to the gas cavity 312.

[0079] The side of the top wall 311 away from the cavity wall 313 includes a diffusion surface 3111, the diffusion surface 3111 is recessed toward the side close to the gas cavity 312, and the first through hole 3112 is located at the bottom end of the recess of the diffusion surface 3111. Specifically, the diffusion surface 3111 is recessed toward the first through hole 3112 to form an approximately conical surface, so that the side of the top wall 311 away from the cavity wall 313 forms a trumpet-shaped opening relative to the first through hole 3112. When the gas flows out from the gas cavity 312 through the first through hole 3112, due to the adhesion of the gas, the gas flowing out of the first through hole 3112 will adhere to the diffusion surface 3111, so that after flowing out of the first through hole 3112, it will diffuse to the surroundings along the diffusion surface 3111, thereby enhancing the diffusion of the vortex ring bubble V.

[0080] The cavity wall 313 is a cylindrical structure, and the top wall 311 is disposed at one end of the cavity wall 313, thereby sealing the cavity wall 313 from one side and forming a gas cavity 312, and the other end of the cavity wall 313 is open, so that the gas cavity 312 is connected to the outside. The cavity wall 313 can be cylindrical, square cylindrical or other structures, and the present application does not limit this. As long as the gas cavity 312 can be formed, it is within the scope of the present application.

[0081] In this embodiment, a second through hole 3114 is further provided on the top wall 311, a second air inlet 3134 is further provided on the cavity wall 313, and the vortex ring generating device 31 further includes a connecting pipe 317, which is used to connect the second through hole 3114 and the second air inlet 3134, and isolate the second through hole 3114 and the second air inlet 3134 from the gas cavity 312. Specifically, the connecting pipe 317 is used to connect the second through hole 3114 and the second air inlet 3134 while being isolated from the gas cavity 312, so that the air entering from the second air inlet 3134 can flow out through the second through hole 3114.

[0082] In other embodiments, multiple second through holes 3114 may be provided on the top wall 311, and multiple second air inlets 3134 may be provided on the cavity wall 313, each second air inlet 3134 being connected to a corresponding second through hole 3114 via a connecting pipe 317. The present application does not limit the number of the second through holes 3114.

[0083] In the embodiment of the present application, the second through hole 3114 is provided on the top wall 311, and the second air inlet 3134 is opened on the cavity wall 313, and the second through hole 3114 and the second air inlet 3134 are connected through the connecting pipe 317, so that the second through hole 3114 can be used alone to generate small bubbles G in the liquid. That is, when the vortex ring generating device 31 releases the vortex ring bubble V through the first through hole 3112, the small bubbles can also be released independently through the second air inlet 3134, which is conducive to enriching the use scenarios of the vortex ring generating device 31.

[0084] In the present embodiment, the vortex ring generating device 31 further includes a first air pipe 3191 and a second air pipe 3193, wherein the first air pipe 3191 is arranged on a side of the cavity wall 313 away from the gas cavity 312, and is communicated with the first air inlet 3132. The second air pipe 3193 is arranged on a side of the cavity wall 313 away from the gas cavity 312, and is communicated with the second air inlet 3134. Specifically, the first air pipe 3191 extends from the position of the first air inlet 3132 on the cavity wall 313 in a direction away from the cavity wall 313, thereby forming a tubular structure. The second air pipe 3193 extends from the position of the second air inlet 3134 on the cavity wall 313 in a direction away from the cavity wall 313, thereby forming a tubular structure. The first air pipe 3191 and the second air pipe 3193 are respectively used to communicate with the air intake module 33, thereby respectively delivering gas to the first air inlet 3132 and the second air inlet 3134. By providing the first air pipe 3191 and the second air pipe 3193 , the positions of the first air pipe 3191 and the second air pipe 3193 can be adjusted so as to facilitate communication with the air intake module 33 , thereby improving the convenience of connection.

[0085] A support structure 319 is also provided around the top wall 311, and the first air pipe 3191 and the second air pipe 3193 extend from the cavity wall 313 to the position of the support structure 319, thereby being connected to the support structure 319. Specifically, the support structure 319 is used to fix the position of the first air pipe 3191 and the second air pipe 3193, thereby improving the stability of the overall structure of the vortex ring generating device 31. The support structure 319 can also be used to fix the position of the vortex ring generating device 31 when the vortex ring generating device 31 is placed in a liquid container.

[0086] The specific structure of the vortex ring generating device 31 will be further described below in conjunction with the specific process of the vortex ring generating device 31 generating the vortex ring bubble V.

[0087] See also Figure 4 When the vortex ring generating device 31 is placed in the culture liquid L, due to the siphon principle, the culture liquid L flows into the gas cavity 312 and the acceleration cavity 316 through the side of the gas cavity 312 away from the top wall 311, and communicates with the culture liquid L on the side of the top wall 311 away from the gas cavity 312 through the first through hole 3112. At this time, if gas Q is input into the gas cavity 312 through the first air inlet 34, the gas Q will gather on the side of the gas cavity 312 close to the top wall 311 under the action of gravity, and increase in volume as the gas Q is injected, thereby applying pressure to the culture liquid L in the gas cavity 312, causing the liquid level in the gas cavity 312 to drop.

[0088] When the liquid level drops below the siphon baffle 315, due to the buoyancy potential of the gas Q itself, the culture liquid L in the gas chamber 312 will press the gas Q into the acceleration chamber 316, so that the gas Q flows into the acceleration chamber 316, and the culture liquid L in the acceleration chamber 316 is discharged to the outside of the gas chamber 312 through the first through hole 3112. At this time, the gas Q in the gas chamber 312 also flows into the acceleration chamber 316. Since the aperture of the acceleration chamber 316 is smaller as it approaches the first through hole 3112, the flow rate of the gas Q flowing into the acceleration chamber 316 increases as it approaches the first through hole 3112. Due to the adhesion of the gas, the gas flow rate near the siphon baffle 315 is slower, while the gas flow rate in the middle is faster. When passing through the first through hole 3112, the gas Q near the wall of the first through hole 3112 has a small speed, and the speed in the middle is large, which causes a speed difference in the radial direction of the gas Q, resulting in a rotational torque in the axial direction, and then forming a vortex ring bubble V after flowing out of the first through hole 3112.

[0089] When the gas Q flows out from the first through hole 3112 , due to the adhesion of the gas, part of the gas will diffuse along the diffusion surface 3111 in a direction away from the first through hole 3112 , thereby increasing the radial size of the vortex ring bubble V and facilitating the formation of the vortex ring bubble V.

[0090] After a portion of the gas Q flows out through the acceleration chamber 316 and forms a vortex ring bubble V, the liquid level in the gas chamber 312 rises, thereby isolating the acceleration chamber 316 from the gas chamber 312. At this time, no gas Q flows out of the first through hole 3112, thereby completing the release of the vortex ring bubble V.

[0091] Please refer to Figure 1In this embodiment, the air intake module 33 includes a first air intake pipe 331, a second air intake pipe 333, an air valve 335, an air tank 337 and a flow meter 339. One end of the first air intake pipe 331 is connected to the first air intake pipe 3191, thereby communicating with the first air inlet 3132, and the other end of the first air intake pipe 331 is communicated with the air tank 337. One end of the second air intake pipe 333 is connected to the second air intake pipe 3193, thereby communicating with the second air inlet 3134, and the other end of the second air intake pipe 333 is communicated with the air tank 337. There are two air valves 335, which are respectively arranged on the first air intake pipe 331 and the second air intake pipe 333. The air valves 335 are used to control the communication and flow rate between the first air intake pipe 331 and the second air intake pipe 333, so as to adjust the aeration time and aeration amount of the vortex ring bubble V and the small bubble G respectively. The gas valve 335 may be a solenoid valve, so that it can receive an electrical signal and adjust the connectivity and flow rate of the gas according to the electrical signal. In other embodiments, there may be only one gas valve 335, in which case the gas valve 335 is simultaneously connected to the first air inlet pipe 331, the second air inlet pipe 333, and the gas tank 337, and the gas valve 335 can control the connectivity and flow rate of the gas from the gas tank 337 to the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333. The present application does not limit the specific structure of the gas valve 335, as long as it can control the connectivity and flow rate of the gas entering the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333, it is within the scope of the present application.

[0092] In this embodiment, the gas tank 337 may store air, or carbon dioxide gas of a certain concentration or pure carbon dioxide gas. The gas in the gas tank 337 may be compressed gas, so that the gas is pumped into the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333 by air pressure. In other embodiments, the air intake module 33 may not include the gas tank 337, and the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333 are directly connected to the air pump, and the air pump is used to pump external air into the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333.

[0093] By setting the air valve 335 to respectively control the connection between the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333, the vortex ring bubble V and the small bubble G can be controlled to be generated at intervals, thereby avoiding the small bubbles from affecting the structure of the vortex ring bubble V, and further avoiding affecting the stirring of the culture solution L by the vortex ring bubble V, which is beneficial to improving the cleaning efficiency of the side wall 13.

[0094] There are two flow meters 339 , which are respectively arranged on the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333 . The flow meters 339 are used to detect the flow rate of the gas in the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333 , so as to cooperate with the air valve 335 to adjust the flow rate of the gas.

[0095] The monitoring module 50 includes a pH sensor 51 and an optical sensor 53, wherein the pH sensor 51 is disposed in the solution tank 10 to monitor the pH value of the culture solution L. The optical sensor 53 is disposed outside the solution tank 10 and is disposed corresponding to the side wall 13 of the solution tank 10. The optical sensor 53 can obtain an optical image of the side wall 13, and obtain a deposition signal of the deposition of microalgae cells on the side wall 13 according to the optical image.

[0096] The monitoring module 50 further includes a concentration sensor (not shown), which is disposed in the culture solution L and spaced apart from the side wall 13. The concentration sensor can monitor the concentration of the culture solution L in the solution tank 10 to generate a concentration signal. Specifically, the concentration of the culture solution L refers to the concentration of microalgae cells in the culture solution L. By monitoring the concentration of the microalgae cells, it can be determined whether the required concentration has been reached, or the aeration amount of the gas supply module 30 can be adjusted according to the concentration.

[0097] The monitoring module 50 may also include other sensors, such as a temperature sensor, which can monitor the ambient temperature, thereby adjusting the aeration volume of the air supply module 33 according to the temperature, or a light sensor, which can monitor the brightness of the external environment, etc., which is not limited in the present application.

[0098] The control module 70 includes a calculation module 71 and an alarm module 73. The calculation module 71 is used to receive pH value signals, deposition signals and concentration signals, and calculate the aeration time and aeration volume of the vortex ring bubbles V and the small bubbles G according to the pH value signals, deposition signals and concentration signals, and send a control signal to the gas valve 335. The calculation module 71 is also used to determine whether the pH value signal, deposition signal and concentration signal exceed the set range. If they exceed the set range, a signal is sent to the alarm module 73, and the alarm module 73 sends an alarm after receiving the signal.

[0099] The control module 70 may be a central control unit (such as an ESP8266 single-chip microcomputer, etc.), and the control module 70 may also include a visual interaction module (not shown) for displaying different data obtained by the monitoring module 50 to the user, and may allow the user to manually adjust the gas supply mode of the gas supply module 33. The control module 70 may also include a storage module (not shown) for retaining data during use, thereby providing support for subsequent optimization.

[0100] See also Figure 5In another embodiment, two air intake holes 132 are provided on the side wall 13, and the first air intake pipe 331 and the second air intake pipe 333 of the air intake module 33 are respectively connected to the solution tank 10 through one air intake hole 132, and are connected to the vortex ring generating device 31. By providing the air intake holes 132, the lengths of the first air intake pipe 331 and the second air intake pipe 333 can be shortened, and the first air intake pipe 331 and the second air intake pipe 333 can be prevented from being connected to the vortex ring generating device 31 through the upper end of the solution tank 10, thereby preventing the first air intake pipe 331 and the second air intake pipe 333 from interfering with the vortex ring bubble V, and preventing microalgae cells from adhering to the first air intake pipe 331 and the second air intake pipe 333.

[0101] In this embodiment, there are two gas tanks 337, that is, the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333 are respectively connected to a gas tank 337. Among them, the gas tank 337 corresponding to the second air inlet pipe 333 can be filled with an air mixed gas with a higher carbon dioxide content or pure carbon dioxide gas, so as to more easily adjust the pH value of the culture liquid L and provide a carbon source for the microalgae cells in the culture liquid L. The gas tank 337 corresponding to the first air inlet pipe 331 can be filled with air, or an air mixed gas with a higher carbon dioxide content or pure carbon dioxide gas. The first air inlet pipe 331 may also not be provided with a corresponding gas tank 337, and air can be pumped into the first air inlet pipe 331 by providing an air pump, and this application does not limit this.

[0102] The photobioreactor 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application can release vortex ring bubbles V by setting up the gas supply module 30, and can fully stir the culture solution L in the solution tank 10, so that the microalgae cells in the culture solution L can fully flow, thereby improving the uniformity of the illumination of the microalgae cells by the external illumination light, and can prevent the microalgae cells in the culture solution L from being deposited on the side wall 13 of the solution tank 10, resulting in contamination of the solution tank 10. By setting up the gas supply module 30, small bubbles G can be released, and the microalgae cells in the culture solution L can be provided with gases required for survival, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, and because the specific surface area of ​​the small bubbles G is relatively larger, they can fully contact with the culture solution L. In addition, when carbon dioxide is dissolved in the culture solution L, the pH value of the culture solution L can also be adjusted, so that the culture solution L is maintained at a pH suitable for the growth of microalgae cells, which is conducive to improving production efficiency. By setting up the control module 70 and the monitoring module 50, the pH value in the solution tank 10 and the deposition status of the microalgae cells on the side wall 13 of the solution tank 10 can be obtained in real time, so as to control the air supply module 30 to release the vortex ring bubbles V and the small bubbles G, and the aeration time and aeration amount of the vortex ring bubbles V and the small bubbles G can be adjusted, so as to improve the culture efficiency of the biological cells.

[0103] See also Figure 6The present application also provides a photobioreactor aeration method, which is applied to the photobioreactor 100 in the above embodiment, and comprises:

[0104] Step S1: obtaining the pH value of the culture solution to generate a pH signal, and setting the aeration time of the small bubbles according to the pH signal;

[0105] Step S2: Obtaining optical information of the side wall of the solution tank to generate a deposition signal, and setting the aeration frequency and aeration duration of the vortex ring bubbles according to the deposition signal.

[0106] Specifically, there is no restriction on the order of step S1 and step S2. In actual operation, step S1 may be performed first and then step S2, or step S2 may be performed first and then step S1.

[0107] In step S1, the pH sensor 51 obtains the pH value of the culture solution L to generate a pH signal. If the pH value increases, the aeration time of the small bubbles G is increased. If the pH value decreases, the aeration time or aeration amount of the small bubbles G is reduced. Specifically, the small bubbles G contain carbon dioxide gas. When the carbon dioxide gas dissolves in the culture solution L, it can generate acidic substances, thereby reducing the pH value of the culture solution L. By adjusting the aeration time and aeration amount of the small bubbles G, the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the culture solution L can be changed, thereby achieving the effect of adjusting the pH value. Among them, the pH value can be adjusted by the aeration amount in the early stage of releasing the small bubbles G. After the aeration amount reaches saturation, the aeration time can be increased to ensure sufficient carbon dioxide supply.

[0108] In step S2, the optical sensor 53 acquires optical information on the side wall 13 to generate a deposition signal. If there is deposition on the side wall 13, the aeration frequency and aeration duration of the vortex ring bubble V are increased to strengthen the stirring of the culture solution L. Specifically, the optical sensor 53 may include an infrared light emitter and an infrared light intensity sensor. The optical sensor 53 emits an infrared light source on the side wall 13 and determines the degree of attachment of the microalgae on the side wall 13 according to the wall reflection intensity of the side wall 13.

[0109] The photobioreactor aeration method also includes: before performing step S1 and step S2, obtaining the concentration of the culture solution in the solution tank to generate a concentration signal; when executing step S1, setting the aeration amount of the small bubbles in combination with the concentration signal and the pH value signal; when executing step S2, setting the aeration amount of the vortex ring bubbles in combination with the concentration signal and the deposition signal.

[0110] Specifically, the monitoring module 50 also includes a concentration sensor (not shown), which is disposed in the culture solution L and spaced apart from the side wall 13. The concentration sensor is used to obtain an optical signal of the culture solution L, thereby calculating the concentration of microalgae cells in the culture solution L according to the absorbance of the culture solution L. The growth of the microalgae cells can be inferred according to the concentration of the microalgae cells. The aeration amount of the vortex ring bubbles V and the small bubbles G is set in combination with the concentration of the microalgae cells, which can better improve the growth rate of the microalgae cells and thus improve the production efficiency. For example, when the concentration of the microalgae cells is low, the aeration amount and aeration time of the small bubbles G can be appropriately adjusted and the aeration amount and aeration time of the vortex ring bubbles V can be reduced, so that the content of carbon dioxide in the culture solution L is maintained at an appropriate concentration, thereby improving the photosynthesis of the microalgae cells. When the concentration of microalgae cells is high, the aeration volume and aeration time of the vortex ring bubble V can be increased, and the aeration volume and aeration time of the small bubble G can be appropriately adjusted, so as to fully stir the culture solution L while ensuring the supply of carbon source, so as to make the microalgae cells in the culture solution L evenly illuminated, and avoid the microalgae cells from being deposited on the side wall 13. That is, the monitoring module 50 can obtain the concentration of microalgae cells in the culture solution L, the pH value of the culture solution L, and the degree of attachment of the microalgae cells on the side wall 13, and the control module can adjust the aeration time and aeration volume of the small bubble G and the vortex ring bubble V accordingly according to these three parameters. Among them, the aeration time includes both the aeration time of the small bubble G and the vortex ring bubble V separately, and the ratio of the aeration time of the small bubble G and the vortex ring bubble V.

[0111] The photobioreactor aeration method further includes: while performing step S1 and step S2, determining whether the pH value signal and the deposition signal exceed a preset value, and if so, issuing an alarm. Specifically, when the data detected by the photobioreactor 100 is abnormal, an alarm may be issued to remind the user to check, ensure the stability of the culture process, and avoid the death of microalgae in the culture solution L.

[0112] The photobioreactor aeration method provided in the embodiment of the present application monitors the pH and sedimentation of the culture solution L, thereby adjusting the aeration strategy, which is beneficial to increasing the yield of microalgae cells and further improving the production efficiency of fucoxanthin.

[0113] Those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present application and are not intended to be limiting of the present application. As long as they are within the spirit and scope of the present application, appropriate changes and modifications to the above embodiments are within the scope of protection claimed in the present application.

Claims

1. A photobioreactor, characterized in that: include: A solution tank, used for holding culture solution; An air supply module, at least partially disposed in the solution tank, for respectively releasing vortex ring bubbles and small bubbles into the culture solution; A monitoring module, comprising a pH sensor and an optical sensor, wherein the pH sensor is disposed in the solution tank and is used to monitor the pH value of the culture solution to obtain a pH signal; The optical sensor is disposed on the side wall of the solution tank and is used to monitor the wall surface of the side wall to obtain a deposition signal; A control module is electrically connected to the monitoring module and the air supply module, and is used to receive the pH value signal and the deposition signal, and to control the air supply module to release the vortex ring bubbles or the small bubbles.

2. The photobioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air supply module includes a vortex ring generating device, which is arranged in the solution tank and includes: A top wall, wherein a first through hole and a second through hole are formed on the top wall, wherein the first through hole is used to discharge the vortex ring bubbles, and the second through hole is used to discharge the small bubbles; a cavity wall, wherein the cavity wall is arranged around one side of the top wall to form a gas cavity together with the top wall; a first gas inlet and a second gas inlet are opened on the cavity wall, the first gas inlet and the first through hole are connected through the gas cavity; the second gas inlet and the second through hole are connected through a connecting pipe and isolated from the gas cavity; and The siphon baffle is accommodated in the gas cavity, and the siphon baffle is arranged around the first through hole to form an acceleration cavity.

3. The photobioreactor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The side of the top wall away from the cavity wall comprises a diffusion surface, the diffusion surface is recessed toward the side close to the gas cavity, and the first through hole is located at the bottom end of the recess of the diffusion surface.

4. The photobioreactor according to claim 2, characterized in that: A supporting structure is also provided around the top wall, and the supporting structure abuts against the side wall to fix the position of the vortex ring generating device in the solution tank.

5. The photobioreactor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The air supply module also includes an air intake module; the air intake module includes a first air intake pipe, a second air intake pipe and an air valve; the first air intake pipe is connected to the first air inlet port, and the second air intake pipe is connected to the second air inlet port; the air valve is used to control the on-off and air intake volume of the first air intake pipe and the second air intake pipe.

6. The photobioreactor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The air intake module further includes a gas tank, which is in communication with the first air intake pipe and the second air intake pipe. The gas tank is used to store gas and to provide the gas to the vortex ring generating device.

7. The photobioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control module includes a calculation module and an alarm module. The calculation module is used to receive the pH value signal and the deposition signal and calculate the aeration time of the vortex ring bubbles and the small bubbles; the alarm module is used to issue an alarm when the pH value signal and the deposition signal exceed a set range.

8. The photobioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical sensor is also used to monitor the concentration of the culture solution in the solution tank to generate a concentration signal; the control module is also used to adjust the aeration amount of the air supply module according to the concentration signal.

9. A photobioreactor aeration method, applied to the photobioreactor according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: include: Acquiring the pH value of the culture solution to generate a pH signal, and setting the aeration time of the small bubbles according to the pH signal; Optical information of the side wall of the solution tank is obtained to generate a deposition signal, and the aeration frequency and aeration duration of the vortex ring bubbles are set according to the deposition signal.

10. The photobioreactor aeration method according to claim 9, characterized in that: Also includes: The concentration of the culture solution in the solution tank is obtained to generate a concentration signal; the aeration amount of the small bubbles is set in combination with the concentration signal and the pH value signal; and the aeration amount of the vortex ring bubbles is set in combination with the concentration signal and the deposition signal.

11. The photobioreactor aeration method according to claim 9, characterized in that: Also includes: It is determined whether the pH value signal and the deposition signal exceed preset values, and if so, an alarm is issued.

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