Efficient microalgae culture system and method based on light guide fabric assembly

Abstract

The invention discloses an efficient microalgae culture system and method based on a light guide fabric assembly, and belongs to the technical field of microalgae culture, the efficient microalgae culture system comprises a reactor, the light guide fabric assembly is arranged in the reactor, and the light guide fabric assembly efficiently conducts an external light source and uniformly scatters the light source into the reactor; the reactor is provided with a light guide fabric assembly, the surface of the light guide fabric assembly is provided with a microporous structure for fixing and attaching microalgae, the light guide fabric assembly is connected with a light control unit, and the reactor is also provided with a gas control unit for providing carbon-rich air, a liquid control unit for circulating a culture medium and a temperature control and nutrition control unit for providing proper temperature and blending the culture medium. The invention provides a universal platform, and by embedding optimized process parameters for different algae species (such as chlorella and tribonema), upgrading from'universal culture 'to'precise culture' is realized, and the yield of a target product can be effectively and directionally improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application belongs to the technical field of microalgae cultivation, and particularly relates to a high-efficiency microalgae cultivation system and method based on a light guide fabric assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] Microalgae cultivation technology is faced with two core challenges of uneven light distribution and low nutrient supply efficiency. Traditional photobioreactors rely on external light, and the light is severely attenuated when penetrating the culture solution, resulting in the formation of light blind spots inside the system. At the same time, for suspended cultivation, the energy consumption for mixing nutrients is high; for attached cultivation, the transfer efficiency of nutrients and gases is low.

[0003] In the prior art, although the use of ordinary sponges and other carriers for attached cultivation can partially solve the problem of light, it cannot achieve active guidance and uniform distribution of light energy. For important economic microalgae such as Chlorella and Heterochlorella, the growth and accumulation of target products (such as oil and polysaccharides) are severely dependent on precise light, temperature and nutrient conditions, and traditional cultivation systems are difficult to achieve precise and coordinated control of these factors, resulting in unsatisfactory biomass yield and product content.

[0004] Chinese Patent No. CN105849247A, published on August 10, 2016, discloses a photobioreactor for cultivating photoautotrophic organisms and in particular a mat, such as the mat can be used in such a photobioreactor. The mat has a plurality of first fibers which are light-conducting in their longitudinal direction and constitute a light-conducting in the longitudinal direction at least partially laterally coupled out transversely to the longitudinal direction. In addition, the mat has a plurality of second fibers which are electrically conductive in their longitudinal direction. By means of such a mat it is possible to couple light in the interior of the photobioreactor on one hand. On the other hand, by applying a suitable three-phase alternating voltage via a voltage source, it is possible to generate a migrating electric alternating field by means of the electrically conductive second fibers divided into a plurality of groups. The photobioreactor cannot simultaneously satisfy attached cultivation and achieve active guidance and uniform distribution of light energy. SUMMARY

[0005] The purpose of the present application is to solve the problems of the prior art and provide a high-efficiency microalgae cultivation system and method based on a light guide fabric assembly. The present application provides a general platform, and by embedding optimized process parameters for different algae species (such as Chlorella and Heterochlorella), it realizes the upgrade from "general cultivation" to "precise cultivation", which can effectively and directionally improve the yield of target products.

[0006] The present application is realized by the following technical solutions: A high-efficiency microalgae culture system based on a light-guiding fabric assembly, comprising a reactor, wherein a light-guiding fabric assembly is arranged inside the reactor, the light-guiding fabric assembly efficiently conducts and uniformly scatters external light sources into the reactor, and the surface of the light-guiding fabric assembly has a microporous structure for fixing and attaching microalgae, the light-guiding fabric assembly is connected to a light control unit, and the reactor is further provided with a gas control unit for providing carbon-rich air, a liquid control unit for circulating the culture medium, and a temperature and nutrient control unit for providing suitable temperature and adjusting the culture medium.

[0007] Preferably, the light-guiding fabric assembly comprises optical fibers and flexible fabric materials compounded by weaving or laminating processes.

[0008] Preferably, multiple light-guiding fabric assemblies are arranged in the reactor. Preferably, the spacing between the multiple light-guiding fabric assemblies is 3-30 cm.

[0009] Preferably, the light control unit comprises LED light sources and optical fiber wires, and the LED light sources are connected to the light-guiding fabric assembly through the optical fiber wires.

[0010] Preferably, the gas control unit comprises a gas distributor arranged inside the reactor, a gas source arranged outside the reactor, and a gas pressure valve arranged on the gas pipe.

[0011] Preferably, the liquid control unit comprises a liquid outlet pipe arranged at the lower end of the reactor, a culture medium circulating pump connected to the liquid outlet pipe, a liquid inlet pipe connected to the outlet of the culture medium circulating pump, and a culture medium distributor connected to the liquid inlet pipe and arranged above the reactor.

[0012] Preferably, the temperature and nutrient control unit comprises a temperature sensor arranged on the reactor, a heat exchange jacket arranged outside the reactor, a heat exchange medium inlet pipe connected to the heat exchange jacket, a heat exchange medium outlet pipe connected to the heat exchange jacket, a heat exchange medium feed adjustment valve arranged on the heat exchange medium inlet pipe, a culture medium feed pipe connected to the reactor, and a culture medium preparation tank connected to the culture medium feed pipe.

[0013] A high-efficiency microalgae culture method based on a light-guiding fabric assembly, which utilizes the above-mentioned high-efficiency microalgae culture system based on a light-guiding fabric assembly, adds microalgae and culture medium into the reactor through the temperature and nutrient control unit, and controls the light intensity in the reactor, the carbon dioxide concentration in the reactor, the temperature in the reactor, and the circulation amount of the culture medium through the light control unit, the gas control unit, the liquid control unit, and the temperature and nutrient control unit.

[0014] Preferably, the microalgae are Chlorella vulgaris, Hildenbrandia rivularis, Nostoc commune, Haematococcus pluvialis, or Spirulina.

[0015] Preferably, the light intensity in the reactor is controlled at 30-300 .

[0016] Preferably, the carbon dioxide concentration in the reactor is controlled at 0.2-5%.

[0017] Preferably, the temperature in the reactor is controlled at 20-35℃.

[0018] Preferably, the circulation amount of the culture medium is 0.3-30 .

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following advantages and beneficial effects: First, the present application provides a high-efficiency microalgae culture system based on a light guide fabric assembly, which realizes a qualitative leap in light energy utilization rate: the light guide fabric assembly realizes the "on-demand distribution" and uniform distribution of light energy, solves the fundamental problem of traditional reactors, and greatly improves the photosynthetic efficiency.

[0020] Second, the present application provides a high-efficiency microalgae culture system based on a light guide fabric assembly, which is highly flexible and accurate in culture strategy: the present application provides a general platform, and by embedding optimized process parameters for different algae species (such as Chlorella and H. pluvialis), it realizes the upgrade from "general culture" to "precise culture", and can effectively improve the yield of target products.

[0021] Third, the present application provides a high-efficiency microalgae culture system based on a light guide fabric assembly, which is integrated and economical: the multi-layer three-dimensional structure and the de-thread clustering design realize the doubling of unit area productivity, simplify the system structure (the entire system realizes the separation of "electricity" and "light", and there is no need to consider the problems caused by electricity in the operation of the entire culture system), reduce the manufacturing and operating costs, and have significant economic benefits.

[0022] Fourth, the present application provides a high-efficiency microalgae culture system based on a light guide fabric assembly, which has high biomass yield and high product content: through the multi-dimensional synergistic optimization of light, gas, liquid, temperature, and nutrition, the present application can realize high biomass yield (laying the foundation for large-scale application) and high-value product content (improving the economy of the culture process) at the same time.

[0023] Five, the application provides a kind of high-efficiency microalgae culture method based on light guide fabric assembly, 1) the system realizes the efficient conduction and uniform distribution of light energy through the biomimetic design of light guide fabric complex, and the uniformity of illumination is expected to be ≥70%, and the electric algae efficiency can reach 30-50 kWh / kg under the optimal illumination condition of 20, which significantly breaks through the light energy utilization bottleneck of traditional culture mode, and provides a reliable technical path for the low-energy-consumption and high-yield culture of microalgae;2) the system adopts multi-layer three-dimensional culture frame combined with low-cost carrier, and the biomass yield per unit area is increased by more than 10 times and 100 times compared with traditional runway pool, and the carrier has micro-porous attachment and light guide scattering functions, which greatly reduces the facility investment and operation cost of large-scale cultivation while realizing high space utilization;3) the integrated light, gas, liquid, temperature and nutrient control module supports precise process control for various high-value microalgae such as chlorella and haematococcus pluvialis, and the system can be stably and continuously operated for more than 30 days, has modular expansion capability, and lays a core equipment foundation for building a hundred-ton automatic and factory-like microalgae production system per mu. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is the structural diagram of the application; Figure 2 is the structural diagram of the light guide fabric assembly and light control unit in the application; Figure 3 is the structural diagram of the microalgae attached to the light guide fabric assembly in the application; Figure 4 is the structural diagram of the gas control unit in the application; Figure 5 is the structural diagram of the temperature control and nutrient control unit in the application.

[0025] 1, reactor;2, light guide fabric assembly;3, light control unit;31, LED light source;32, optical fiber wire;4, gas control unit;41, gas distributor;42, gas pressure valve;43, gas source;5, liquid control unit;51, liquid outlet pipe;52, culture medium pump;53, liquid inlet pipe;54, culture medium distributor;6, temperature control and nutrient control unit;61, temperature sensor;62, heat exchange jacket;63, heat exchange medium inlet pipe;64, heat exchange medium outlet pipe;65, heat exchange medium feed adjusting valve;66, culture medium feed pipe;67, culture medium ingredient tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with examples, but the embodiments of the application are not limited thereto.

[0027] Example 1 As Figures 1-5As shown, this embodiment provides a high-efficiency microalgae cultivation system based on a light-guiding fabric component, including a reactor 1. A light-guiding fabric component 2 is disposed within the reactor 1. The light-guiding fabric component 2 efficiently conducts and uniformly scatters an external light source into the reactor 1. The surface of the light-guiding fabric component 2 has a microporous structure for fixing and attaching microalgae. The light-guiding fabric component 2 is connected to a light control unit 3. The reactor 1 is also equipped with a gas control unit 4 for providing carbon-rich air, a liquid control unit 5 for circulating the culture medium, and a temperature and nutrient control unit 6 for providing suitable temperature and preparing the culture medium. The diameter of the micropores is 0.5 μm-5 mm.

[0028] Example 2 like Figures 1-5 As shown, this embodiment provides a high-efficiency microalgae cultivation system based on a light-guiding fabric component, including a reactor 1. A light-guiding fabric component 2 is disposed within the reactor 1. The light-guiding fabric component 2 efficiently conducts and uniformly scatters an external light source into the reactor 1. The surface of the light-guiding fabric component 2 has a microporous structure for fixing and attaching microalgae. The light-guiding fabric component 2 is connected to a light control unit 3. The reactor 1 is also equipped with a gas control unit 4 for providing carbon-rich air, a liquid control unit 5 for circulating the culture medium, and a temperature and nutrient control unit 6 for providing suitable temperature and preparing the culture medium. The diameter of the micropores is 0.5 μm-5 mm.

[0029] The optical fiber fabric assembly 2 comprises optical fibers and flexible fabric materials bonded together by weaving or lamination processes. The flexible fabric material includes polyester or nylon.

[0030] The reactor 1 contains a multi-layered light-guiding fabric assembly 2. The multi-layered light-guiding fabric assembly 2 is placed inside the reactor 1 via a multi-layered three-dimensional culture rack.

[0031] The spacing between multiple optical fiber fabric components 2 is 3-30cm.

[0032] The light control unit 3 includes an LED light source 31 and an optical fiber cable 32. The LED light source 31 is connected to the light guide fabric assembly 2 via the optical fiber cable 32. The LED light source 31 is located outside the reactor 1.

[0033] The gas control unit 4 includes a gas distributor 41, a pressure valve 42, and a gas source 43. The gas distributor 41 is located inside the reactor 1 and is connected to the gas source 43 located outside the reactor 1 via a gas pipe. The pressure valve 42 is located on the gas pipe. The gas distributor 41 has multiple gas outlets.

[0034] The liquid control unit 5 comprises an outlet pipe 51 arranged at the lower end of the reactor 1, a medium circulation pump 52 connected with the outlet pipe 51, an inlet pipe 53 connected with the outlet of the medium circulation pump, and a medium distributor 54 connected with the inlet pipe 53, wherein the medium distributor 54 is arranged above the reactor 1.

[0035] The temperature and nutrient control unit 6 comprises a temperature sensor 61 arranged on the reactor 1, a heat exchange jacket 62 arranged outside the reactor 1, a heat exchange medium inlet pipe 63 connected with the heat exchange jacket 62, a heat exchange medium outlet pipe 64 connected with the heat exchange jacket 62, a heat exchange medium feed adjusting valve 65 arranged on the heat exchange medium inlet pipe 63, a medium feed pipe 66 connected with the reactor 1, and a medium preparation tank 67 connected with the medium feed pipe 66, wherein the temperature sensor 61 and the heat exchange medium feed adjusting valve are connected with a PLC controller.

[0036] Embodiment 3 The embodiment provides a high-efficiency microalgae culture method based on a light guide fabric assembly. The microalgae and the medium are added into the reactor 1 through the temperature and nutrient control unit 6 by using the high-efficiency microalgae culture system based on the light guide fabric assembly in Embodiment 2. The light intensity in the reactor 1, the carbon dioxide concentration in the reactor 1, the temperature in the reactor 1 and the circulation amount of the medium are controlled through the light control unit 3, the gas control unit 4, the liquid control unit 5 and the temperature and nutrient control unit 6.

[0037] The microalgae are Chlorella, Hildenbrandia, Nostoc, Haematococcus or Spirulina.

[0038] The light intensity in the reactor 1 is controlled at 30-300 .

[0039] The carbon dioxide concentration in the reactor 1 is controlled at 0.2-5%.

[0040] The temperature in the reactor 1 is controlled at 20-35℃.

[0041] The circulation amount of the medium is 0.3-30 .

[0042] The different culture parameters of the related algae are shown in the following table:

[0043] The above description is only the preferred embodiments of the present application, and does not limit the present application in any form. Any simple modification or equivalent change based on the technical essence of the present application to the above embodiments falls within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A high-efficiency microalgae cultivation system based on a light-guiding fabric assembly, characterized in that: The reactor (1) includes a light-guiding fabric assembly (2) which efficiently conducts and uniformly scatters external light sources into the reactor (1). The surface of the light-guiding fabric assembly (2) has a microporous structure for fixing and attaching microalgae. The light-guiding fabric assembly (2) is connected to a light control unit (3). The reactor (1) is also equipped with a gas control unit (4) for providing carbon-rich air, a liquid control unit (5) for circulating culture medium, and a temperature and nutrient control unit (6) for providing suitable temperature and preparing culture medium.

2. The high-efficiency microalgae cultivation system based on a light-guiding fabric assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical fiber fabric assembly (2) comprises optical fibers and flexible fabric materials combined by weaving or lamination processes.

3. The high-efficiency microalgae cultivation system based on a light-guiding fabric assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The reactor (1) is equipped with a multi-layered optical fiber fabric assembly (2).

4. The high-efficiency microalgae cultivation system based on a light-guiding fabric assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The spacing between multiple optical fiber fabric components (2) is 3-30cm.

5. The high-efficiency microalgae cultivation system based on a light-guiding fabric assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The light control unit (3) includes an LED light source (31) and an optical fiber cable (32). The LED light source (31) is connected to the light guide fabric assembly (2) through the optical fiber cable (32).

6. The high-efficiency microalgae cultivation system based on a light-guiding fabric assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The gas control unit (4) includes a gas distributor (41), a pressure valve (42) and a gas source (43). The gas distributor (41) is located inside the reactor (1) and is connected to the gas source (43) located outside the reactor (1) via a gas pipe. The pressure valve (42) is located on the gas pipe.

7. The high-efficiency microalgae cultivation system based on a light-guiding fabric assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: The liquid control unit (5) includes an outlet pipe (51) located at the lower end of the reactor (1), a culture medium circulation pump (52) connected to the outlet pipe (51), an inlet pipe (53) connected to the outlet of the culture medium circulation pump, and a culture medium distributor (54) connected to the inlet pipe (53). The culture medium distributor (54) is located above the reactor (1).

8. The high-efficiency microalgae cultivation system based on a light-guiding fabric assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The temperature and nutrient control unit (6) includes a temperature sensor (61) installed on the reactor (1), a heat exchange jacket (62) installed outside the reactor (1), a heat exchange medium inlet pipe (63) connected to the heat exchange jacket (62), a heat exchange medium outlet pipe (64) connected to the heat exchange jacket (62), a heat exchange medium feed regulating valve (65) installed on the heat exchange medium inlet pipe (63), a culture medium feed pipe (66) connected to the reactor (1), and a culture medium mixing tank (67) connected to the culture medium feed pipe (66).

9. A highly efficient microalgae cultivation method based on a light-guiding fabric component, characterized in that: Using the high-efficiency microalgae cultivation system based on light-guiding fabric components as described in any one of claims 1-8, microalgae and culture medium are added to reactor (1) through temperature and nutrient control unit (6). The light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, temperature and circulation volume of culture medium in reactor (1) are controlled by light control unit (3), gas control unit (4), liquid control unit (5) and temperature and nutrient control unit (6).

10. The efficient microalgae cultivation method based on a light-guiding fabric assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that: The microalgae used are Chlorella, Nostoc, Haematococcus pluvialis, or Spirulina.

11. The high-efficiency microalgae cultivation system based on a light-guiding fabric assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that: The light intensity in the reactor (1) is controlled at 30-300. .

12. The high-efficiency microalgae cultivation system based on a light-guiding fabric assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that: The carbon dioxide concentration in the reactor (1) is controlled at 0.2-5%.

13. The high-efficiency microalgae cultivation system based on a light-guiding fabric assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that: The temperature in the reactor (1) is controlled at 20-35℃.

14. The high-efficiency microalgae cultivation system based on a light-guiding fabric assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that: The circulation volume of the culture medium is 0.3-30. .

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