Photobioreactor for algae culture

Abstract

The utility model discloses a photobioreactor for algae culture, which relates to the technical field of bioengineering, and comprises a pyramid-shaped profile frame, a spiral glass tube, a pipeline support plate, a water pumping mechanism and a vertical glass tube, the bottom of the profile frame is provided with a Foma wheel, and the vertical glass tube is provided with a water pumping mechanism. The pipeline supporting plate is arranged at the corner of the profile frame, the spiral glass pipe is arranged on the profile frame in a surrounding mode through the pipeline supporting plate, a water pumping mechanism is arranged in the profile frame, the bottom of the vertical glass pipe is arranged on the water pumping mechanism in a communicating mode, and the top of the vertical glass pipe is fixed to the profile frame. An exhaust valve is arranged at the top end of the vertical glass tube, the water inlet end of the spiral glass tube is communicated with a water pumping mechanism, and the water outlet end of the spiral glass tube is communicated with the upper portion of the vertical glass tube. According to the utility model, microalgae organism culture volume and illumination surface area can be improved, and the light energy utilization rate is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of bioengineering, and in particular relates to a photobioreactor for algae cultivation. Background Art

[0002] Economic microalgae, rich in various bioactive substances, have broad applications in the food, aquaculture, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and bioenergy industries. For example, Chlorella vulgaris can be used in single-cell protein production; Phaeodactylum tricornutum is used in sea cucumber aquaculture and seedling cultivation; and Haematococcus pluvialis, rich in astaxanthin and possessing potent antioxidant properties, has a broad market in health supplements, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Therefore, the economic microalgae biomass energy industry is a new industry that countries are vying to develop. However, achieving rapid development in the economic microalgae biomass energy industry requires the efficient and cost-effective production of high-density biomass.

[0003] Currently, the main cultivation methods for economic microalgae are open-air cultivation and photobioreactor cultivation. Due to the shortcomings of traditional open-air cultivation, such as low controllability, large floor space requirements, and susceptibility to bacterial contamination, the research and development trend of microalgae cultivation technology has gradually shifted towards photobioreactors. Compared to open-air cultivation, photobioreactor cultivation offers high controllability of culture conditions, small floor space requirements, flexible operation, high yields, and suitability for monoculture, making it particularly popular for economic microalgae cultivation. However, commonly used column-type reactors have a small culture volume and surface area, low light energy and CO2 utilization rates, and poor light penetration into the center of the reactor, resulting in low production efficiency and inability to achieve high-density cultivation.

[0004] Therefore, how to provide a photobioreactor for algae cultivation that improves the culture volume and light energy utilization efficiency has become a problem that those skilled in the art need to consider. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a photobioreactor for algae cultivation. The present invention increases the cultivation volume and light-receiving surface area of ​​microalgae by setting a pyramid-shaped profile frame and a spiral glass tube, improves the utilization rate of light energy, and can achieve high-density cultivation of microalgae.

[0006] In order to achieve the above purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A photobioreactor for algae cultivation comprises a profile frame, a spiral glass tube, a pipe support plate, a pumping mechanism and a vertical glass tube. The profile frame is pyramid-shaped, a Formosa wheel is provided at the bottom of the profile frame, the pipe support plate is arranged at the corner of the profile frame, the spiral glass tube is arranged on the profile frame through the pipe support plate, a pumping mechanism is provided inside the profile frame, the bottom of the vertical glass tube is connected to the pumping mechanism, the top of the vertical glass tube is fixed to the profile frame, an exhaust valve is provided at the top of the vertical glass tube, the water inlet end of the spiral glass tube is connected to the pumping mechanism, and the water outlet end of the spiral glass tube is connected to the upper part of the vertical glass tube.

[0008] Furthermore, the pumping mechanism includes a water tank, a water pump and a three-way valve. The water tank is arranged on the bottom rectangular frame. The top of the water tank is respectively provided with a first connecting pipe port and a second connecting pipe port. The first connecting pipe port is connected to an external water source, and the second connecting pipe port is connected to a vertical glass tube. A water outlet is provided at the bottom of the water tank, and the three-way valve is provided at the water outlet. The water pump is provided in the water tank, and the water inlet of the water pump is located in the water tank. The water outlet of the water pump is connected to the first water inlet of the three-way valve, and the second water inlet of the three-way valve is provided in the water tank. The water outlet of the three-way valve is connected to the water inlet end of the spiral glass tube.

[0009] Furthermore, the water inlet end of the spiral glass tube is also provided with an air inlet for promoting water circulation in the spiral glass tube.

[0010] Furthermore, a drain outlet is provided between the air inlet and the water tank, and a ball valve is provided at the drain outlet.

[0011] Furthermore, the profile frame includes a bottom rectangular frame, a top rectangular frame and an oblique support rod, both ends of the oblique support rod are hinged to the bottom rectangular frame and the top rectangular frame respectively, and the water tank is installed on the bottom rectangular frame.

[0012] Furthermore, the pipe support plate is fixed on the oblique support rod, and the surface of the pipe support plate is provided with an arc groove corresponding to the spiral glass tube.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a pipeline flow meter, which is arranged in the spiral glass tube and is used to monitor the flow rate of water.

[0014] Furthermore, the spiral glass tube is formed by splicing several sections of arc-shaped glass tubes through tube clamps.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the present invention arranges a pyramid profile frame and a spiral glass tube so that the spiral glass tube is perpendicular to the direction of illumination, and there is no obstruction between the arc-shaped glass tubes, which is conducive to the penetration of light and improves the utilization rate of light energy and CO2. The spirally arranged glass tube increases the culture volume and illumination surface area of ​​the photoreactor, and can effectively increase the culture density of microalgae. The arrangement of the Formosa wheel facilitates the movement of the reactor. The arrangement of the water pump, the three-way valve and the air inlet can switch the circulation mode according to different cultivation requirements. The water pump can also facilitate the rapid flushing of the photobioreactor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the profile frame and pumping mechanism structure of the utility model;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the pumping mechanism of the utility model.

[0019] In the picture:

[0020] 1. Spiral glass tube; 2. Pipe support plate; 3. Vertical glass tube; 4. Formazan wheel; 5. Bottom rectangular frame; 6. Top rectangular frame; 7. Diagonal support rod; 8. Pipe clamp; 9. Air inlet; 10. Water tank; 11. Water pump; 12. Three-way valve; 13. External water pipe; 14. Ball valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", "one side", etc., indicating directions or positional relationships, are directions or positional relationships based on the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention; the terms "first", "second", and "third" are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. In addition, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or a circuit connection; it can be a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be internal communication between two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0023] Example 1

[0024] like Figure 1-3 As shown, this embodiment discloses a photobioreactor for algae cultivation, comprising a profile frame, a spiral glass tube 1 , a pipe support plate 2 , a pumping mechanism and a vertical glass tube 3 .

[0025] The profile frame is pyramid-shaped, and a Formosa wheel 4 is provided at the bottom of the profile frame, which can realize the flexible movement of the photobioreactor and can be locked in an appropriate position. The profile frame includes a bottom rectangular frame 5, a top rectangular frame 6 and an oblique support rod 7. The profile frames in this embodiment are all made of aluminum profiles. The two ends of the oblique support rod 7 are hinged to the bottom rectangular frame 5 and the top rectangular frame 6 respectively. The pipe support plate 2 is installed on the oblique support rod 7 of the profile frame. The surface of the pipe support plate 2 is provided with an arc groove corresponding to the spiral glass tube 1. The spiral glass tube 1 is surrounded by the pipe support plate 2 and arranged on the profile frame. The spiral glass tube 1 in this embodiment is made of several sections of arc-shaped glass tubes spliced ​​by tube clamps 8, which increases the culture volume of microalgae cultivation and has a larger illumination area. It provides a stable growth environment for the cultivation of algae, enables the algae to receive sufficient light, promotes the photosynthesis of algae, and realizes high-density culture of microalgae.

[0026] A pumping mechanism is provided inside the profile frame. The bottom of the vertical glass tube 3 is connected to the pumping mechanism. The top of the vertical glass tube 3 is fixed on the top rectangular frame 6. An exhaust valve is provided at the top of the vertical glass tube 3. The water inlet end of the spiral glass tube 1 is connected to the pumping mechanism. The water inlet end of the spiral glass tube 1 is also provided with an air inlet 9 for promoting water circulation in the spiral glass tube 1. The water outlet end of the spiral glass tube 1 is connected to the upper part of the vertical glass tube 3.

[0027] Specifically, the pumping mechanism includes a water tank 10, a water pump 11 and a three-way valve 12. The water tank 10 is installed on the bottom rectangular frame 5. The top of the water tank 10 is respectively provided with a first connecting pipe port and a second connecting pipe port. The first connecting pipe port is connected to the external water pipe 13, and the second connecting pipe port is connected to the vertical glass tube 3. A water outlet is provided at the bottom of the water tank 10, and the three-way valve 12 is provided at the water outlet. The water pump 11 is provided in the water tank 10, and the water inlet of the water pump 11 is located in the water tank 10. The water outlet of the water pump 11 is connected to the first water inlet 13 of the three-way valve 12, and the second water inlet of the three-way valve 12 is provided in the water tank 10. The water outlet of the three-way valve 12 is connected to the water inlet end of the spiral glass tube 1.

[0028] The water pump 11 in this embodiment can adopt a low-shear algae cultivation water pump. According to the actual situation of the algae cultivation process, ventilation circulation or water pump 11 circulation can be selected. For example, when cultivating Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the water pump 11 cannot be turned on. Its circulation mode is as follows: the water flow containing algae is pushed by air to circulate in the spiral glass tube 1. After reaching the top of the vertical glass tube 3, the air is discharged from the exhaust valve at the top of the vertical glass tube 3, and the water flow flows along the vertical glass tube 3 into the water tank 10. The algae and water flow in the water tank 10 continue to circulate along the water inlet end of the spiral glass tube 1. The function of the water pump 11 is also that when the water tank 10 and the spiral glass tube 1 need to be cleaned, the algae and nutrient solution can be emptied first, and then by switching the water inlet of the three-way valve 12 and turning on the water pump 11, the clean water flow is quickly circulated in the reactor through the water pump 11, and the spiral glass tube 1 and the water tank 10 are quickly rinsed.

[0029] As a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, a drain outlet is further provided between the air inlet 9 and the water tank 10 , and a ball valve 14 is provided at the drain outlet. The drain outlet is used to discharge the nutrient solution or the clean water flow.

[0030] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pipeline flow meter (not shown in the figure) is also installed on the spiral glass tube 1 to monitor the flow rate of the water flow.

[0031] Although the above describes the specific implementation methods of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it does not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that on the basis of the technical solution of the present invention, various modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without creative work are still within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A photobioreactor for algae cultivation, characterized in that: The utility model comprises a profile frame, a spiral glass tube, a pipe support plate, a pumping mechanism and a vertical glass tube. The profile frame is pyramid-shaped. A Forma wheel is provided at the bottom of the profile frame. The pipe support plate is provided at the corner of the profile frame. The spiral glass tube is surrounded by the pipe support plate and arranged on the profile frame. A pumping mechanism is provided inside the profile frame. The bottom of the vertical glass tube is connected to the pumping mechanism. The top of the vertical glass tube is fixed on the profile frame. An exhaust valve is provided at the top of the vertical glass tube. The water inlet end of the spiral glass tube is connected to the pumping mechanism, and the water outlet end of the spiral glass tube is connected to the upper part of the vertical glass tube.

2. A photobioreactor for algae cultivation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pumping mechanism includes a water tank, a water pump and a three-way valve. The water tank is arranged on a bottom rectangular frame. The top of the water tank is respectively provided with a first connecting pipe port and a second connecting pipe port. The first connecting pipe port is connected to an external water pipe, and the second connecting pipe port is connected to a vertical glass tube. A water outlet is provided at the bottom of the water tank, and the three-way valve is provided at the water outlet. The water pump is provided in the water tank, and the water inlet of the water pump is located in the water tank. The water outlet of the water pump is connected to the first water inlet of the three-way valve, and the second water inlet of the three-way valve is provided in the water tank. The water outlet of the three-way valve is connected to the water inlet end of the spiral glass tube.

3. A photobioreactor for algae cultivation according to claim 2, characterized in that: The water inlet end of the spiral glass tube is also provided with an air inlet for promoting water to circulate in the spiral glass tube.

4. A photobioreactor for algae cultivation according to claim 3, characterized in that: A drain outlet is also provided between the air inlet and the water tank, and a ball valve is provided at the drain outlet.

5. The photobioreactor for algae cultivation according to claim 2, characterized in that: The profile frame includes a bottom rectangular frame, a top rectangular frame and an oblique support rod. Both ends of the oblique support rod are hinged to the bottom rectangular frame and the top rectangular frame respectively. The water tank is installed on the bottom rectangular frame.

6. The photobioreactor for algae cultivation according to claim 5, characterized in that: The pipeline support plate is fixed on the oblique support rod, and the surface of the pipeline support plate is provided with an arc groove corresponding to the spiral glass tube.

7. The photobioreactor for algae cultivation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device also includes a pipeline flow meter, which is arranged in the spiral glass tube and is used to monitor the flow rate of the water flow.

8. The photobioreactor for algae cultivation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spiral glass tube is formed by splicing several sections of arc-shaped glass tubes through tube clamps.

Images