Photobioreactor and photobioreactor aeration method

Abstract

The application provides a photobioreactor, comprising: a solution tank for containing a culture solution; a gas supply module arranged at least partially in the solution tank for releasing vortex ring bubbles and small bubbles into the culture solution respectively; a monitoring module comprising a pH sensor and an optical sensor, the pH sensor being arranged in the solution tank for monitoring the pH value of the culture solution to obtain a pH value signal, the optical sensor being arranged on a side wall of the solution tank for monitoring the wall surface of the side wall to obtain a deposition signal; and a control module electrically connected with the monitoring module and the gas supply module, the control module being configured to receive the pH value signal and the deposition signal and to control the gas supply module to release the vortex ring bubbles or the small bubbles. The photobioreactor provided by the application is beneficial to improving the yield of photosynthetic organism cells. The application further 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

[0002] Current photobioreactors usually use constant gas supply, which results in a single fluid flow field, stable fluid flow pattern, and further results in the generation of low-speed fluid area. The low-speed area causes the cultured cells to be unable to move in the reaction container. When the culture concentration is high, due to the intensity of the illumination light decreases with distance, the cells that stay in the low-speed fluid area cannot effectively perform photosynthesis, resulting in reduced production efficiency, and even causing cell death and thus contaminating the entire culture system. Moreover, if the low-speed area is located at the side wall of the reaction container, it may be deposited and attached to the side wall, which may block the illumination light source on the one hand, and the remaining substances may contaminate the reaction container on the other hand. SUMMARY

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

[0004] a solution tank for containing a culture solution;

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

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

[0007] a control module electrically connected to the monitoring module and the gas supply module, the control module being configured to receive the pH value signal and the deposition signal, and to control the gas supply module to release the vortex ring bubbles or the small bubbles.

[0008] The photobioreactor provided by the embodiment of the present application can release vortex ring bubbles through the gas supply module, can fully stir the culture solution in the solution tank, so that the biological cells in the culture solution fully flow, thereby improving the uniformity of the illumination light of the external illumination light on the biological cells, and can avoid the biological cells in the culture solution from depositing on the side wall of the solution tank, thereby causing the solution tank to be polluted. The gas supply module can release small bubbles, and can provide the biological cells in the culture solution with the gases required for survival, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, and because the specific surface area of the small bubbles is relatively larger, the small bubbles can fully contact 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, thereby improving the production efficiency. Through the control module and the monitoring module, the pH value in the solution tank and the deposition condition of the biological cells on the side wall of the solution tank can be obtained in real time, so that the gas supply module releases vortex ring bubbles and small bubbles, and the aeration time and the aeration amount of the vortex ring bubbles and the small bubbles can be adjusted, thereby improving the culture efficiency of the biological cells.

[0009] In an embodiment, the gas supply module comprises a vortex ring generating device, and the vortex ring generating device comprises:

[0010] a top wall, a first through hole and a second through hole are formed in the top wall, the first through hole is used for discharging the vortex ring bubbles, and the second through hole is used for discharging the small bubbles;

[0011] a cavity wall, the cavity wall is arranged on one side of the top wall to jointly form a gas cavity with the top wall; a first gas inlet and a second gas inlet are formed in the cavity wall, the first gas inlet and the first through hole are communicated through the gas cavity; the second gas inlet is communicated with the second through hole through a communication pipe and is isolated from the gas cavity; and

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

[0013] In an embodiment, 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 recessed diffusion surface.

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

[0015] In an embodiment, the air supply module further comprises an air inlet module; the air inlet module comprises a first air inlet pipe, a second air inlet pipe and an air valve; the first air inlet pipe is in communication with the first air inlet, the second air inlet pipe is in communication with the second air inlet; the air valve is used to control the opening and closing of the first air inlet pipe and the second air inlet pipe and the air inlet amount.

[0016] In an embodiment, the air supply module further comprises an air tank, the air tank is in communication with the first air inlet pipe and the second air inlet pipe, the air tank is used to store air and provide the air to the vortex ring generating device.

[0017] In an embodiment, the control module comprises 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 air bubbles and the small air bubbles; the alarm module is used to issue an alarm when the pH value signal and the deposition signal exceed the set range.

[0018] In an 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 aeration amount of the air supply module according to the concentration signal.

[0019] Another aspect of the present application provides a light bioreactor aeration method, applied to the light bioreactor described above, which comprises:

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

[0021] Obtaining the 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 air bubbles according to the deposition signal.

[0022] The light bioreactor aeration method provided by 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 air bubbles, so that the culture solution can be maintained at a pH value suitable for the growth of biological cells, which is beneficial to improve the 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 start to deposit on the side wall, and the aeration frequency and aeration duration of the vortex ring air bubbles are set according to the deposition signal, so that the culture solution can be fully stirred, the biological cells can be prevented from polluting the solution tank, and the light illumination of the biological cells is more uniform, which is beneficial to improve the culture efficiency.

[0023] In an embodiment, the method further comprises: 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 value signal; and setting the aeration amount of the vortex ring bubbles in combination with the concentration signal and the deposition signal.

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

[0025] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a photobioreactor according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a vortex ring generating device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a III-III sectional structural schematic diagram of the vortex ring generating device according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2

[0028] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the principle of vortex ring generation by the vortex ring generating device according to an embodiment of the present application.

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

[0030] Figure 6 FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a photobioreactor aeration method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] MAIN ELEMENT SYMBOL EXPLANATION

[0032] Photobioreactor 100

[0033] Solution tank 10

[0034] Bottom wall 11

[0035] Side wall 13

[0036] Air inlet through 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] Second through hole 3114 ​

[0043] gas cavity 312

[0044] cavity wall 313

[0045] first gas inlet 3132

[0046] second gas inlet 3134

[0047] siphon baffle 315

[0048] acceleration cavity 316

[0049] communication pipe 317

[0050] support structure 319

[0051] first gas pipe 3191

[0052] second gas pipe 3193

[0053] gas inlet module 33

[0054] first gas inlet pipe 331

[0055] second gas inlet pipe 333

[0056] gas 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 solution L

[0066] vortex ring bubble V

[0067] small gas bubble G

[0068] gas Q

[0069] steps S1, S2

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

[0071] Clearly, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments.

[0072] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used in the description of the application herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application.

[0073] In order to further clarify the technical means and effects taken by the present application to achieve the predetermined purpose, the following will be described in detail in combination with the drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0074] Please refer to Figure 1 The photobioreactor 100 provided by the embodiments of the present application includes a solution tank 10, a gas supply module 30, a monitoring module 50, and a control module 70. The solution tank 10 is used to hold a culture solution L. The gas supply module 30 is at least partially arranged in the solution tank 10, and is used to release vortex air bubbles V and small air 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 51 is arranged in the solution tank 10, and is used to monitor the pH value of the culture solution L to obtain a pH value signal. The optical sensor 53 is arranged on a side wall 13 of the solution tank 10, and is used to monitor the wall surface of the side wall 13 to obtain a deposition signal. The control module 70 is electrically connected with the monitoring module 50 and the gas supply module 30, and is used to receive the pH value signal and the deposition signal, and to control the gas supply module 30 to release the vortex air bubbles V or the small air bubbles G.

[0075] Specifically, the photobioreactor 100 is used for culturing photosynthetic cells such as microalgae, and the present embodiment takes microalgae as an example, but is not limited thereto. The photobioreactor 100 can also include an illumination light source (not shown), or can be directly placed in an environment with an illumination light source, which is not limited in the present application. The culture solution L includes microalgae cells and a solution for providing nutrients for the microalgae cells. The gas supply module 30 supplies gas to the culture solution L, thereby providing carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and oxygen for respiration for the microalgae cells. Among them, the vortex ring bubble V is a ring-shaped bubble, and the gas rotates 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, it can fully stir the culture solution L during the rising process, and drive the liquid near the side wall 13 to move, so that the position near the side wall 13 has a higher velocity gradient, thereby reducing the adhesion of microalgae cells, or washing down the microalgae cells adhering to the side wall 13. However, the vortex ring bubble V also has the disadvantage of relatively small specific area and low gas mass transfer efficiency. The small bubbles G are a plurality of continuous small volume bubbles, and the volume is much smaller than that of the vortex ring bubble V, and have a relatively high specific area, so the gas mass transfer efficiency is high. However, the rising path of the small bubbles G is relatively fixed, and cannot well stir the culture solution L, thereby causing a low flow rate area in the culture solution L, and further causing the yield of microalgae cells in the low flow rate area to be low. In addition, due to the adhesion of substances on the surface of the microalgae cells, the microalgae cells are easy to adhere to the side wall 13 of the solution tank 10, which affects the illumination of the illumination light source. The present embodiment can release the vortex ring bubble V and the small bubble G in the culture solution L by controlling the gas supply module 30, so as to fully stir the culture solution L while improving the gas mass transfer efficiency, which is conducive to improving the yield of microalgae cells, and further improving the yield of fucoxanthin extracted from microalgae.

[0076] In the present 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 away from the bottom wall 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 fully utilize the vortex ring bubbles V and the small bubbles G released by the gas supply module 30, which is not limited in the present application.

[0077] In the present embodiment, the gas supply module 30 includes a vortex ring generating device 31 and a gas inlet module 33, and the vortex ring generating device 31 is arranged in the solution tank 10. Specifically, the vortex ring generating device 31 is arranged near the bottom wall 11 in the solution tank 10, and abuts against the side wall 13 to be fixed in the solution tank 10. The gas inlet module 33 communicates with the vortex ring generating device 31 to supply gas to the vortex ring generating device 31.

[0078] Specifically, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3The vortex ring generating device 31 comprises a top wall 311, a cavity wall 313 arranged at one side of the top wall 311 and surrounding the top wall 311, and a siphon baffle 315. The top wall 311 and the cavity wall 313 jointly form a bottom-opened gas cavity 312. The top wall 311 is provided with a first through hole 3112, and the cavity wall 313 is provided with a first air inlet 3132. The first air inlet 3132 is in communication with the first through hole 3112 through the gas cavity 312. The siphon baffle 315 is arranged in the gas cavity 312 and surrounds the first through hole 3112 to form an acceleration cavity 316. The acceleration cavity 316 is in communication with the gas cavity 312.

[0079] The side of the top wall 311 away from the cavity wall 313 comprises a diffusion surface 3111 which is recessed towards the side close to the gas cavity 312, and the first through hole 3112 is located at the bottom end of the recessed diffusion surface 3111. Specifically, the diffusion surface 3111 is recessed towards the direction of the first through hole 3112 to form an approximate conical surface, so that the side of the top wall 311 away from the cavity wall 313 forms a horn-shaped opening relative to the first through hole 3112. When the gas flows out of the first through hole 3112 from the gas cavity 312, due to the adhesion of the gas, the gas flowing out of the first through hole 3112 will adhere to the diffusion surface 3111, and then diffuse along the diffusion surface 3111 to the four directions after flowing out of the first through hole 3112, 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 arranged at one end of the cavity wall 313 to seal the cavity wall 313 from one side and form the gas cavity 312. The other end of the cavity wall 313 is open, so that the gas cavity 312 is in communication with the outside. The cavity wall 313 can be cylindrical, square cylindrical or other structures, which are not limited in the present application, as long as it can form the gas cavity 312.

[0081] In the present embodiment, the top wall 311 is further provided with a second through hole 3114, and the cavity wall 313 is further provided with a second air inlet 3134. The vortex ring generating device 31 further comprises a communication pipe 317 for connecting the second through hole 3114 and the second air inlet 3134 and isolating the second through hole 3114 and the second air inlet 3134 from the gas cavity 312. Specifically, the communication pipe 317 is used to make the second through hole 3114 and the second air inlet 3134 in communication 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, a plurality of second through holes 3114 can also be formed on the top wall 311, and a plurality of second air inlets 3134 can also be formed on the cavity wall 313, each second air inlet 3134 being in communication with a corresponding second through hole 3114 through a communication pipe 317. The number of second through holes 3114 is not limited in the present application.

[0083] In the embodiments of the present application, the second through holes 3114 are formed on the top wall 311, and the second air inlets 3134 are formed on the cavity wall 313, and the second through holes 3114 and the second air inlets 3134 are communicated through the communication pipes 317, so that the second through holes 3114 can be used to generate small gas bubbles G in the liquid independently. That is, when the vortex ring generating device 31 releases the vortex ring bubbles V through the first through holes 3112, it can also release small gas bubbles independently through the second air inlets 3134, which is conducive to enriching the use scenarios of the vortex ring generating device 31.

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

[0085] The periphery of the top wall 311 is further provided with a support structure 319, and the first gas pipe 3191 and the second gas pipe 3193 extend from the cavity wall 313 to the position of the support structure 319, thereby being connected with the support structure 319. Specifically, the support structure 319 is used to fix the positions of the first gas pipe 3191 and the second gas 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 combination with the specific process of generating the vortex ring bubbles V.

[0087] Referring to Figure 4 When the vortex ring generator 31 is placed in the culture solution L, the culture solution L flows into the gas cavity 312 and the acceleration cavity 316 through the gas cavity 312 away from the side of the top wall 311 due to the siphon principle, and communicates with the culture solution 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 the gas Q is input into the gas cavity 312 through the first gas 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 injection of the gas Q increases, thereby exerting pressure on the culture solution L in the gas cavity 312, so that the height of the liquid surface in the gas cavity 312 decreases.

[0088] When the height of the liquid surface falls below the siphon baffle 315, the culture solution L in the gas cavity 312 will press the gas Q into the acceleration cavity 316 due to the buoyancy potential energy of the gas Q itself, so that the gas Q flows into the acceleration cavity 316 and discharges the culture solution L in the acceleration cavity 316 to the outside of the gas cavity 312 through the first through hole 3112. At this time, the gas Q in the gas cavity 312 also flows into the acceleration cavity 316, and since the hole diameter of the acceleration cavity 316 is smaller the closer it is to the first through hole 3112, the flow rate of the gas Q flowing into the acceleration cavity 316 increases the closer it is to the first through hole 3112. Due to the adhesion of the gas, the flow rate of the gas close to the siphon baffle 315 is slow, and the flow rate of the gas in the middle is fast, and when passing through the first through hole 3112, the speed of the gas Q close to the wall surface of the first through hole 3112 is small, and the speed in the middle is large, thereby causing a speed difference in the radial direction of the gas Q, resulting in a rotational torque in the axial direction, and thereby forming a vortex ring bubble V after flowing out of the first through hole 3112.

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

[0090] After part of the gas Q flows out of the acceleration cavity 316 and forms a vortex ring bubble V, the liquid surface in the gas cavity 312 rises, thereby isolating the acceleration cavity 316 from the gas cavity 312, at which time no gas Q flows out of the first through hole 3112, thereby completing the release of a vortex ring bubble V.

[0091] Referring to Figure 1In the embodiment, the air inlet module 33 comprises a first air inlet pipe 331, a second air inlet pipe 333, air valves 335, an air tank 337 and flow meters 339. The first air inlet pipe 331 is connected to the first air pipe 3191, and thus is in communication with the first air inlet 3132. The other end of the first air inlet pipe 331 is in communication with the air tank 337. The second air inlet pipe 333 is connected to the second air pipe 3193, and thus is in communication with the second air inlet 3134. The other end of the second air inlet pipe 333 is in communication with the air tank 337. The air valves 335 are arranged on the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333 respectively. The air valves 335 are used to control the communication and flow rate of the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333, so as to adjust the aeration time and aeration amount of the vortex air bubbles V and the small air bubbles G respectively. The air valves 335 can be solenoid valves, so as to receive electrical signals and adjust the communication and flow rate of the air according to the electrical signals. In other embodiments, the air valves 335 can also be one. In this case, the air valve 335 is connected to the first air inlet pipe 331, the second air inlet pipe 333 and the air tank 337, and the air valve 335 can control the communication and flow rate of the air from the air tank 337 to the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333. The specific structure of the air valve 335 is not limited in the present application, as long as it can control the communication and flow rate of the air entering the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333, which is within the scope of the present application.

[0092] In the embodiment, the air tank 337 can store air, or carbon dioxide gas with a certain concentration or pure carbon dioxide gas. The gas in the air tank 337 can be compressed gas, so as to be pumped into the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333 by air pressure. In other embodiments, the air inlet module 33 can also not comprise the air tank 337. The first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333 are directly connected to an air pump, which is used to pump air from the outside into the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333.

[0093] By arranging the air valves 335 to control the communication of the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333 respectively, the vortex air bubbles V and the small air bubbles G can be generated at intervals respectively, so as to avoid the influence of the small air bubbles on the structure of the vortex air bubbles V, and thus avoid the influence on the stirring of the culture solution L by the vortex air bubbles V, which is beneficial to improve the cleaning efficiency of the side wall 13.

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

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

[0096] The monitoring module 50 further comprises a concentration sensor (not shown in the figure). The concentration sensor is arranged in the culture solution L and is 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 the 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 aeration module 30 is adjusted according to the concentration.

[0097] The monitoring module 50 can further comprise other sensors, such as a temperature sensor, which can monitor the ambient temperature and thereby adjust the aeration amount of the aeration module 33 according to the temperature. Or a light sensor, which can monitor the brightness of the external environment, etc. The present application does not limit this.

[0098] The control module 70 comprises a calculation module 71 and an alarm module 73. The calculation module 71 is used to receive the pH signal, the deposition signal and the concentration signal, and calculate the release aeration time and the aeration amount of the vortex bubble V and the small bubble G according to the pH signal, the deposition signal and the concentration signal, and send a control signal to the gas valve 335. The calculation module 71 is also used to determine whether the pH signal, the deposition signal and the concentration signal are out of the set range. If they are out of the set range, the calculation module 71 sends a signal to the alarm module 73, and the alarm module 73 sends an alarm after receiving the signal.

[0099] The control module 70 can be a central control unit (such as an ESP8266 single-chip microcomputer, etc.). The control module 70 can further comprise a visual interaction module (not shown in the figure), which is used to present different data obtained by the monitoring module 50 to the user and can allow the user to manually adjust the aeration mode of the aeration module 33. The control module 70 can further comprise a storage module (not shown in the figure), which is used to retain data during use, thereby providing support for subsequent optimization.

[0100] Please refer to Figure 5In another embodiment, two air inlet holes 132 are formed on the side wall 13, and the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333 of the air supply module 33 are connected to the solution tank 10 through one air inlet hole 132 respectively and are connected to the vortex ring generator 31. By forming the air inlet holes 132, the lengths of the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333 can be shortened, and the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333 can be connected to the vortex ring generator 31 through the upper end of the solution tank 10, so that the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333 do not interfere with the vortex ring bubbles V, and the microalgae cells are not attached to the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333.

[0101] In the embodiment, the number of the gas tanks 337 is two, that is, the first air inlet pipe 331 and the second air inlet pipe 333 are connected to one gas tank 337 respectively. The gas tank 337 corresponding to the second air inlet pipe 333 can be filled with air mixed gas with a higher carbon dioxide content or pure carbon dioxide gas, so as to more conveniently adjust the pH value of the culture solution L and provide a carbon source for the microalgae cells in the culture solution L. The gas tank 337 corresponding to the first air inlet pipe 331 can be filled with air or air mixed gas with a higher carbon dioxide content or pure carbon dioxide gas, or the first air inlet pipe 331 can not be connected to the gas tank 337, and a gas pump is arranged to pump air into the first air inlet pipe 331, which is not limited in the present application.

[0102] The photobioreactor 100 provided in the embodiment can release the vortex ring bubbles V by arranging the air supply module 30, can fully stir the culture solution L in the solution tank 10, so that the microalgae cells in the culture solution L flow fully, so as to improve the uniformity of the illumination of the external illumination light on the microalgae cells, and can avoid the microalgae cells in the culture solution L from depositing on the side wall 13 of the solution tank 10 and causing the solution tank 10 to be contaminated. The air supply module 30 can release the small bubbles G, can provide the microalgae cells in the culture solution L with the gases required for survival, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, and since the specific surface area of the small bubbles G is relatively large, the small bubbles G can fully contact the culture solution L. In addition, when the carbon dioxide is dissolved in the culture solution L, the pH value of the culture solution L can be adjusted, so that the culture solution L is maintained at an acid-base degree suitable for the growth of the microalgae cells, which is beneficial to improving the production efficiency. By arranging the control module 70 and the monitoring module 50, the pH value in the solution tank 10 and the deposition state of the microalgae cells on the side wall 13 of the solution tank 10 can be obtained in real time, so that the air supply module 30 is controlled to release the vortex ring bubbles V and the small bubbles G, the aeration time and the aeration amount of the vortex ring bubbles V and the small bubbles G can be adjusted, and the culture efficiency of the biological cells is improved.

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

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

[0105] Step S2: acquiring the 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, the sequence of steps S1 and S2 is not limited, and in actual operation, step S1 can be performed first, and then step S2 can be performed, or step S2 can be performed first, and then step S1 can be performed.

[0107] In step S1, the pH value sensor 51 acquires the pH value of the culture solution L to generate a pH value 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 the aeration amount of the small bubbles G is reduced. Specifically, the small bubbles G contain carbon dioxide gas, when the carbon dioxide gas is dissolved 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 the 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, in the early stage of releasing small bubbles G, the aeration amount can be used to adjust the pH value, 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 the 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 bubbles V are increased, thereby strengthening the stirring of the culture solution L. Specifically, the optical sensor 53 can 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 judges the degree of adhesion of microalgae on the side wall 13 according to the wall surface reflection intensity of the side wall 13.

[0109] The photobioreactor aeration method further comprises: before steps S1 and S2 are performed, acquiring the concentration of the culture solution in the solution tank to generate a concentration signal; when step S1 is performed, the aeration amount of the small bubbles is set in combination with the concentration signal and the pH value signal; when step S2 is performed, the aeration amount of the vortex ring bubbles is set in combination with the concentration signal and the deposition signal.

[0110] Specifically, the monitoring module 50 further comprises a concentration sensor (not shown in the figure) arranged in the culture solution L and spaced apart from the side wall 13, which is used to obtain an optical signal of the culture solution L, so as to calculate the concentration of the microalgae cells in the culture solution L according to the absorbance of the culture solution L, and the growth of the microalgae cells can be inferred according to the concentration of the microalgae cells. In combination with the concentration of the microalgae cells, the aeration amount of the vortex ring bubbles V and the small bubbles G can be set to better improve the growth rate of the microalgae cells, thereby improving 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 a suitable concentration, thereby promoting the photosynthesis of the microalgae cells. When the concentration of the microalgae cells is high, the aeration amount and aeration time of the vortex ring bubbles V can be increased, and the aeration amount and aeration time of the small bubbles G can be appropriately adjusted, so that the carbon source supply is ensured while the culture solution L is fully stirred, thereby making the microalgae cells in the culture solution L receive uniform light and avoiding the microalgae cells from depositing on the side wall 13. That is, the monitoring module 50 can control the module to correspondingly adjust the aeration time and aeration amount of the small bubbles G and the vortex ring bubbles V according to the three parameters of the concentration of the microalgae cells in the culture solution L, the pH value of the culture solution L and the degree of adhesion of the microalgae cells on the side wall 13. The aeration time includes the aeration time of the small bubbles G and the vortex ring bubbles V alone, and the ratio of the aeration time of the small bubbles G and the vortex ring bubbles V.

[0111] The photobioreactor aeration method further comprises: while steps S1 and S2 are performed, judging 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 can be issued to remind the user to check, thereby ensuring the stability of the culture process and avoiding the death of the microalgae in the culture solution L.

[0112] The photobioreactor aeration method provided by the embodiments of the present application adjusts the aeration strategy by monitoring the acidity and alkalinity of the culture solution L and the deposition situation, which is beneficial to improve the yield of the microalgae cells and thereby improve the production efficiency of fucoxanthin.

[0113] Those skilled in the art should understand that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present application, but not as a limitation to the present application, and any appropriate changes and modifications made to the above embodiments within the spirit and principles of the present application shall fall within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A photobioreactor, characterized in that, include: Solution tank, used to hold culture medium; A gas supply module includes a vortex ring generator disposed within a solution tank. The vortex ring generator comprises a top wall, a cavity wall, and a siphon baffle. The top wall has a first through hole and a second through hole. The first through hole is used to discharge vortex ring bubbles, and the second through hole is used to discharge small bubbles. The cavity wall is arranged around one side of the top wall to form a gas cavity together with the top wall. The cavity wall has a first air inlet and a second air inlet. The first air inlet and the first through hole are connected through the gas cavity. The second air inlet and the second through hole are connected through a connecting pipe and isolated from the gas cavity. The siphon baffle is housed in the gas cavity and is arranged around the first through hole to form an acceleration cavity. The monitoring module includes a pH sensor and an optical sensor. The pH sensor is installed in the solution tank and is used to monitor the pH value of the culture medium 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 deposition signals; A control module is electrically connected to the monitoring module and the gas supply module. The control module is used to receive the pH value signal and the deposition signal, and to control the gas supply module to release the vortex bubble or the small bubble.

2. The photobioreactor of claim 1, wherein, The top wall, on the side away from the cavity wall, includes a diffusion surface, which is recessed toward the side closer to the gas cavity, and the first through hole is located at the bottom end of the recess on the diffusion surface.

3. The photobioreactor of claim 1, wherein, A support structure is also provided around the top wall, and the support structure abuts against the side wall to fix the position of the vortex ring generator in the solution tank.

4. The photobioreactor of claim 1, wherein, The air supply module further 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, and the second air intake pipe is connected to the second air inlet; the air valve is used to control the on / off state of the first air intake pipe and the second air intake pipe and the air intake volume.

5. The photobioreactor of claim 4, wherein, The air intake module also includes a gas tank, which is connected to the first air intake pipe and the second air intake pipe. The gas tank is used to store gas and to supply the gas to the vortex ring generator.

6. The photobioreactor of claim 1, wherein, 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 bubble and the small bubble. The alarm module is used to issue an alarm when the pH value signal and the deposition signal exceed the set range.

7. The photobioreactor of claim 1, wherein, The optical sensor is also used to monitor the concentration of the culture medium in the solution tank to generate a concentration signal; the control module is also used to adjust the aeration rate of the air supply module according to the concentration signal.

8. A method for aeration of a photobioreactor, applied to a photobioreactor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, include: The pH value of the culture medium is obtained to generate a pH signal, and the aeration time of the small bubbles is set according to the pH signal. Optical information of the sidewall of the solution tank is acquired to generate a deposition signal, and the aeration frequency and aeration duration of the vortex ring bubble are set according to the deposition signal.

9. The photobioreactor aeration method of claim 8, wherein, Also includes: Obtaining the concentration of the culture 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 value signal; setting the aeration amount of the vortex ring bubbles in combination with the concentration signal and the deposition signal.

10. The photobioreactor aeration method of claim 8, wherein, Also comprising: Judging whether the pH value signal and the deposition signal exceed preset values, and if so, issuing an alarm.

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