A microalgal particle cultivator and system for carbon capture

Abstract

This application provides a microalgae particle culturer and system for carbon capture. The microalgae particle culturer for carbon capture includes a tank, a first guide tube, and a second guide tube. The tank has a bottom inlet pipe and an upper overflow port. The first guide tube is coaxially located in the middle of the tank, with its bottom opposite the inlet pipe and forming a flow gap with the bottom of the tank. A guide member is located above the top of the first guide tube, below the overflow port, forming a flow gap with it. The top of the second guide tube is fixed to the top wall of the tank, and its bottom is fitted around the outer periphery of the first guide tube, forming flow gaps with both the inner wall of the tank and the first guide tube. At least one of the tank, the first guide tube, or the second guide tube contains a lighting component. This application achieves efficient particle culture, convenient harvesting, and carbon fixation by constructing a stable reflux channel, inducing particle deposition, promoting microalgae suspension and particle aggregation, and providing directional supplemental lighting to improve photosynthetic efficiency and enhance CO2 absorption in the water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of environmental engineering technology, and in particular to a microalgae particle culturer and system for carbon capture. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of mariculture, large amounts of aquaculture wastewater rich in nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are directly discharged into the sea, causing severe eutrophication and ecological damage. To alleviate the pollution pressure from aquaculture wastewater, chemical precipitation and other methods are commonly used for wastewater purification. However, these traditional methods generally suffer from high operating costs and limited treatment efficiency. Therefore, utilizing microalgae for simultaneous purification and carbon fixation of aquaculture wastewater has become a research hotspot.

[0003] Marine microalgae carbon fixation technology is a biotechnology that utilizes marine microalgae to fix carbon dioxide. Marine microalgae are tiny plants that are widely distributed in the ocean. They have the ability to photosynthesize and can grow and reproduce using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. Through photosynthesis, marine microalgae can convert carbon dioxide into organic matter, thereby achieving the effect of carbon fixation.

[0004] Marine microalgae carbon fixation technology has many advantages. First, marine microalgae have high photosynthetic efficiency, enabling them to rapidly absorb and convert carbon dioxide, thus achieving highly efficient carbon fixation. Second, marine microalgae grow rapidly and reproduce quickly, forming a large biomass in a short time, further improving carbon fixation efficiency. Furthermore, marine microalgae are highly adaptable to different environments, allowing them to grow in diverse marine conditions and showing broad application prospects.

[0005] Marine microalgae carbon sequestration technology has broad application prospects. Firstly, this technology can be used to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, mitigating global warming. Secondly, it can be combined with marine aquaculture to achieve the sustainable use of marine resources. Furthermore, marine microalgae can be used to produce high-value-added biological products, such as bio-fertilizers and bio-feeds, offering economic benefits.

[0006] In summary, marine microalgae carbon sequestration technology is a biotechnology with enormous potential, capable of effectively reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and mitigating global warming. With ongoing research and expanding applications, marine microalgae carbon sequestration technology will make significant contributions to addressing climate change and achieving sustainable development.

[0007] However, existing microalgae cultivation systems face challenges in practical applications due to difficulties in harvesting microalgae and their tendency to be lost with water flow.

[0008] In view of this, how to efficiently harvest microalgae and reduce microalgae loss in microalgae culture for carbon capture has become an urgent problem to be solved. Utility Model Content

[0009] In view of this, the purpose of this application is to provide a microalgae particle culturer and system for carbon capture, so as to solve or partially solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the first aspect of this application provides a microalgae particle culture device for carbon capture, comprising:

[0011] The tank includes an inlet pipe and an overflow port, wherein the inlet pipe is located at the bottom of the tank and the overflow port is located on the upper outer periphery of the tank.

[0012] The first guide tube is coaxially disposed in the middle of the tank body; the bottom of the first guide tube is opposite to the outlet of the water inlet pipe, and there is a flow gap between the first guide tube and the bottom of the tank body.

[0013] The second guide tube is coaxially disposed in the upper part of the tank body, its top is fixedly connected to the top wall of the tank body, its bottom is sleeved on the top periphery of the first guide tube, and there is a flow gap between it and the inner wall of the tank body; at least part of the first guide tube is located in the fluid channel of the second guide tube, and there is a flow gap between it and the inner wall of the second guide tube.

[0014] Among them, at least one of the first guide tube, the second guide tube, and the tank body is a double-shell structure; the double-shell structure includes an outer shell and an inner shell, which together form an annular cavity, and a number of lighting components are arranged in the annular cavity.

[0015] Optionally, the annular cavity has multiple annular mounting slots arranged along its axial direction, and each annular mounting slot is provided with a set of lighting components.

[0016] Optionally, a flow guiding member is further provided above the top of the first flow guiding cylinder. The flow guiding member is located below the overflow port and has a flow gap between it and the top of the first flow guiding cylinder.

[0017] The flow guiding component includes an upper conical surface and a lower conical surface connected along the axial direction, with the upper conical surface located above the lower conical surface;

[0018] Both the upper and lower conical surfaces are conical structures. The inner diameter of the upper conical surface gradually narrows from bottom to top along the axial direction of the tank body; the inner diameter of the lower conical surface gradually increases from bottom to top along the axial direction of the tank body; and the lower cone angle of the lower conical surface is smaller than the upper cone angle of the upper conical surface.

[0019] Optionally, the top of the first guide tube is connected to a third guide shroud whose diameter gradually decreases from bottom to top along the axial direction of the tank, and there is a flow gap between the outer wall of the third guide shroud and the inner wall of the second guide tube.

[0020] Optionally, the bottom of the second guide tube is connected to a second guide shroud with an outwardly expanding diameter. The second guide shroud includes an extension section and an expansion section connected sequentially from bottom to top along the axial direction of the tank.

[0021] The expansion section gradually increases in inner diameter from top to bottom along the axial direction of the tank, with one upper end connected to the bottom of the second guide tube and one bottom end connected to the extension section.

[0022] At least a portion of the extension is sleeved between the first guide tube and the tank, and there is a flow gap between the extension and the first guide tube and the tank.

[0023] Optionally, the bottom of the first guide tube is connected to a first guide shroud with an outwardly expanding diameter, and there are flow gaps between the bottom edge of the first guide shroud and the inner wall and side wall of the bottom of the tank.

[0024] Optionally, the tank includes a culture section and an overflow section connected sequentially from bottom to top, the inner diameter of the culture section being less than or equal to the inner diameter of the overflow section; the first guide tube is located inside the culture section, the bottom of the second guide tube is located inside the culture section, and its top is located inside the overflow section.

[0025] Optionally, at least part of the top of the culture section is inserted into the overflow section to form an overflow weir; the overflow weir, the bottom wall of the overflow section and the inner side wall of the overflow section together form an overflow channel, and the overflow channel is connected to the overflow port.

[0026] Optionally, an aeration disc is also provided at the bottom of the tank, and the aeration disc is connected to the air inlet pipe.

[0027] Based on the same concept, a second aspect of this application also provides a microalgae particle culture system, including a microalgae particle culturer for carbon capture as described above.

[0028] As can be seen from the above description, the microalgae particle culturer and system for carbon capture provided in this application are as follows: The microalgae particle culturer for carbon capture includes a tank, a first guide tube, and a second guide tube. The tank has a bottom inlet pipe and an upper outer circumferential overflow port. The first guide tube is located in the middle of the tank, with its bottom opposite the outlet of the inlet pipe and a flow gap between it and the bottom of the tank. The second guide tube is fixedly connected to the top wall of the tank and extends downward to fit around the top periphery of the first guide tube, forming flow gaps between it and the inner wall of the tank and the outer wall of the first guide tube. At least one of the tank, the first guide tube, or the second guide tube adopts a double-shell structure, which consists of inner and outer shells, with several lighting components arranged in an annular chamber between them. This application utilizes a second guide tube extending downwards from the top wall of the tank, with its bottom surrounding the outer periphery of the top of the first guide tube. Flow gaps are provided between the outer wall of the second guide tube and the inner wall of the tank, as well as between its inner wall and the first guide tube, forming a circumferential reflux channel. This stabilizes the microalgae growth environment, suppresses turbulent interference, and further promotes particle formation. The construction of a fluid path from the bottom of the tank to the center of the first guide tube allows the microalgae to be in a suspended flow state, facilitating particle formation. Simultaneously, the flow gaps effectively induce a low-speed reflux zone in specific areas, promoting particle aggregation and deposition for convenient centralized harvesting. Furthermore, the annular lighting component in the double-shell structure provides internal directional supplemental lighting, enhancing light penetration and distribution uniformity, significantly improving the photosynthetic efficiency of microalgae, and increasing CO2 absorption and utilization in the water, thereby achieving efficient carbon capture and fixation. This further promotes particle formation and stable growth, ultimately realizing the high efficiency of microalgae granular cultivation, convenient harvesting, and the restorative effect of carbon capture on the ocean. Attached Figure Description

[0029] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this application or related technologies, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the microalgae particle culture device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the microalgae particle culture device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a top view of the microalgae particle culture device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the microalgae circulation path inside the microalgae particle culturer according to an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a microalgae particle culture device with a third flow guide hood according to an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the microalgae circulation path in the microalgae particle culturer with a third flow guide hood, as described in an embodiment of this application.

[0036] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0037] 1. Tank body; 1a. Cultivation section; 1b. Overflow section; 11. Inlet pipe; 12. Overflow port; 13. Overflow weir; 14. Overflow trough; 2. First guide tube; 21. First guide hood; 22. Third guide hood; 3. Second guide tube; 31. Second guide hood; 311. Expansion section; 312. Extension section; 4. Guide component; 41. Upper cone surface; 412. Upper cone angle; 42. Lower cone surface; 421. Lower cone angle; 5. Annular chamber; 5a. Inner shell; 5b. Outer shell; 51. Annular mounting groove; 52. Lighting assembly; 6. Aeration disc; 61. Air inlet pipe; 7. Inspection hole; 8. Mounting base. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0039] It should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in the embodiments of this application should have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in the embodiments of this application do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are only used to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0040] As described in the background section, with the large-scale expansion of mariculture, the large amounts of wastewater discharged during the aquaculture process have become a significant source of marine ecological pollution. This wastewater is generally rich in nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and its direct discharge into the sea can easily lead to eutrophication and cause ecological disasters. Traditional water treatment methods such as chemical precipitation, constructed wetlands, and biological filters are commonly used to purify the wastewater, removing pollutants through sedimentation, adsorption, or microbial degradation, with relatively obvious initial results. However, these methods generally suffer from high operating costs and decreasing treatment efficiency over time, making it difficult to meet the long-term, stable compliance requirements for large-scale aquaculture wastewater discharge.

[0041] To address the aforementioned issues and improve the efficiency of aquaculture wastewater treatment, the simultaneous purification and carbon fixation of aquaculture wastewater using microalgae has gradually become a research hotspot. As typical photosynthetic autotrophs, microalgae can efficiently absorb nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from water bodies, while simultaneously fixing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. This not only improves water quality but also provides additional ecological carbon reduction benefits. Compared to traditional methods, the microalgae treatment pathway is greener and more sustainable, and it possesses the potential to transform "pollutants" into "resources."

[0042] However, the applicant found that while the method of simultaneously purifying and carbon-fixing aquaculture wastewater using microalgae solves to some extent the problems of high operating costs and decreasing treatment efficiency over time that are common in traditional methods, most current microalgae cultivation systems employ suspension culture, which suffers from small microalgae particle size, high dispersion, and easy loss with water flow. This leads to complex microalgae harvesting processes, high energy consumption, and low biomass recovery rates, thus limiting the system's economic viability and stable operation. Furthermore, these microalgae cultivation systems are highly sensitive to light intensity conditions, further hindering the widespread application of microalgae treatment in practical engineering projects.

[0043] To address the aforementioned issues, the applicant has proposed a microalgae granulation culture device and system with an internal light source, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a microalgae particle culture device for carbon capture includes:

[0044] The tank body 1 includes a water inlet pipe 11 and an overflow port 12. The water inlet pipe 11 is located at the bottom of the tank body 1, and the overflow port 12 is located on the upper outer periphery of the tank body 1.

[0045] The first guide tube 2 is coaxially disposed in the middle of the tank body 1; the bottom of the first guide tube 2 is opposite to the outlet of the water inlet pipe 11, and there is a flow gap between it and the bottom of the tank body 1; the second guide tube 3 is coaxially disposed in the upper part of the tank body 1, its top is fixedly connected to the top wall of the tank body 1, its bottom is sleeved on the outer periphery of the top of the first guide tube 2, and there is a flow gap between it and the inner wall of the tank body 1; at least a portion of the first guide tube 2 is located in the fluid channel of the second guide tube 3, and there is a flow gap between it and the inner wall of the second guide tube 3;

[0046] Among them, at least one of the first guide tube 2, the second guide tube 3 and the tank 1 is a double shell structure; the double shell structure includes an outer shell 5b and an inner shell 5a, which together form an annular chamber 5, and a plurality of lighting components 52 are arranged in the annular chamber 5.

[0047] For example, tank 1 serves as the main culture chamber, responsible for containing aquaculture wastewater and microalgae, while also providing containment and support for the internal structure. A water inlet pipe 11 is installed at its bottom to guide water flow from bottom to top, while an overflow port 12 is provided at the top for discharging treated water. A first guide tube 2 and a second guide tube 3 are arranged inside tank 1. At least a portion of the first guide tube 2 is inserted into the second guide tube 3, with a flow gap, so that the two form a coaxial, surrounding structure, respectively serving the functions of the main upward flow and the peripheral return flow. The first guide tube 2 is the main internal channel, its bottom facing the water inlet pipe 11 but not directly connected, thus creating fluid entrainment at the inlet, driving the water upward. At least one of the first guide tube 2, the second guide tube 3, and tank 1 is a double-shell structure, forming an annular chamber 5 for the lighting components 52, ensuring uniform illumination of the microalgae throughout the water column.

[0048] For example, the tank 1 can be made of corrosion-resistant, light-transmitting, or high-strength materials; the annular cavity for lighting needs to be waterproof and sealed, and the material should be light-transmitting; in addition, the spacing of the flow gap can be adjusted according to the size of the microalgae particles to ensure the precision of selective separation of particles.

[0049] For example, the tank body 1 is also provided with a matching mounting base 8.

[0050] For example, the lighting component 52 is set in the double-shell structure through the annular chamber 5. It can use LED or fiber optic lighting modules with high protection level, so that the light source is evenly distributed along the water column. This solves the problem of "low illuminance in the central area and strong but wasteful illuminance in the outer layer" in traditional lighting, improves the photosynthetic efficiency of algae, further promotes particle formation, and enhances the absorption and utilization rate of CO2 in the water, thereby achieving efficient carbon capture and fixation.

[0051] This embodiment will be explained using the formation of microalgae particles as an example. It is important to note that the formation of microalgae particles mainly relies on physical mechanisms such as fluid shearing, collision aggregation, and reflux screening. Structurally, the first guide tube 2 is vertically arranged at the center of the tank 1. There are flow gaps between the bottom and outer wall of the first guide tube 2 and the inner wall of the tank 1, creating a stable upward flow when water is introduced through the inlet pipe 11. Microalgae rise with the water flow within the first guide tube 2, continuously colliding and shearing along the flow path to promote the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and cell aggregation, forming preliminary particles. Simultaneously, a ring-shaped lighting component 52 is embedded in the double-shell structure to provide uniform illumination, enhance photosynthetic efficiency, improve the absorption and utilization rate of CO2 in the water, and further promote EPS formation and stabilize microalgae aggregation.

[0052] When the water rises to the top of the first guide tube 2, it splits and flows to both sides. At this time, the water overflows from the first guide tube 2 and is received by the second guide tube 3, which guides it to form an axial outward loop along the inner wall of the tank 1, creating an inner and outer loop water circulation with the main upward flow in the first guide tube 2. Smaller particles and unaggregated algae are reintroduced into the main circulation zone in the return path, while larger particles that have formed settle due to inertia or are controlled by the flow velocity and remain at the bottom, re-entering the upward channel of the first guide tube 2, thus completing the "collision-screening-enrichment" cycle.

[0053] The microalgae particle culture device for carbon capture in this embodiment includes a tank 1, a first guide tube 2, and a second guide tube 3. The tank 1 is provided with a bottom water inlet pipe 11 and an upper outer periphery overflow port 12. The first guide tube 2 is located in the middle of the tank 1, with its bottom facing the water outlet of the water inlet pipe 11 and leaving a flow gap between it and the bottom of the tank 1. The second guide tube 3 is fixedly connected to the top wall of the tank 1 and extends downward to be sleeved on the top periphery of the first guide tube 2, forming flow gaps between it and the inner wall of the tank 1 and the outer wall of the first guide tube 2. At least one of the tank 1, the first guide tube 2, or the second guide tube 3 adopts a double shell structure, which is composed of inner and outer shells, and a plurality of lighting components 52 are arranged in the annular chamber 5 between them. In this embodiment, the second guide tube 3 extends downward from the top wall of the tank 1, and its bottom is wrapped around the outer periphery of the top of the first guide tube 2. There are flow gaps between the outer wall of the second guide tube 3 and the inner wall of the tank 1, and between its inner wall and the first guide tube 2, forming a circumferential reflux channel. This can stabilize the microalgae growth environment, suppress turbulence interference, and further promote particle formation. The construction of the fluid path from the bottom of the tank 1 to the center of the first guide tube 2 keeps the microalgae in a suspended flow state and facilitates particle formation. At the same time, the flow gap can effectively induce the fluid to form a low-speed reflux zone in a specific area, which is conducive to particle aggregation and deposition, and facilitates centralized harvesting. In addition, the annular lighting component 52 in the double-shell structure can provide internal directional supplemental lighting, enhance light penetration and distribution uniformity, significantly improve the photosynthetic efficiency of microalgae, and enhance the absorption and utilization rate of CO2 in the water, thereby achieving efficient carbon capture and fixation. It also further promotes particle formation and stable growth, ultimately achieving high efficiency of microalgae granular culture, convenient harvesting, and the restorative effect of carbon capture on the ocean.

[0054] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, multiple annular mounting slots 51 are arranged along the axial direction inside the annular chamber 5, and each annular mounting slot 51 is provided with a set of lighting components 52.

[0055] For example, each annular mounting groove 51 may employ a U-shaped, semi-circular, or rectangular groove structure to ensure that the lighting assembly can be securely embedded. The lighting component 52 and the annular mounting groove 51 may be fixedly connected by an elastic snap-fit ​​structure for easy maintenance and replacement in the future; in addition, to enhance the sealing performance and long-term stability of the device, a threaded engagement with an O-ring seal may also be used to securely install the lighting component 52 in the annular mounting groove 51.

[0056] For example, the power supply line of the lighting component 52 can be routed along the outer shell 5b of the first guide tube 2 and led out through the side wall of the tank 1. In addition, to ensure the watertightness and durability of the device, all cable wiring should adopt a fully sealed waterproof design, or passive fiber optic lighting technology should be used directly to replace the traditional cable solution, effectively avoiding safety hazards caused by joint aging, wire corrosion, etc.

[0057] For example, the lighting components 52 can be set at certain intervals according to the total height of the tank 1 and the required light intensity. Each group of lighting components 52 can use a 360° emitting ring LED module to provide uniform circumferential lighting; or an inward directional light source strip combined with a diffuser design can be used to achieve a combination of concentrated lighting and anti-glare diffusion.

[0058] In addition, to improve system stability and heat dissipation, thermally conductive silicone or encapsulating optical colloid can be injected between the lighting component 52 and the annular mounting groove 51 to allow heat to be conducted to the outside of the housing 5b more quickly.

[0059] In this embodiment, multiple annular mounting slots 51 are arranged along the axial direction within the annular chamber 5. Each annular mounting slot 51 contains a set of lighting components 52, and each lighting component 52 is securely embedded in its corresponding mounting slot. This embodiment effectively achieves uniform distribution and directional positioning of the lighting components 52 along the axial direction of the annular chamber 5 by using the annular mounting slots 51 in a layered, multi-level, and regular manner. This prevents the lighting components 52 from shifting or falling off due to fluid disturbance or long-term operation, and also allows the light source to be placed closer to the main growth area of ​​microalgae, improving light utilization.

[0060] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, a flow guiding component 4 is also provided above the top of the first flow guiding cylinder 2. The flow guiding component 4 is located below the overflow port 12 and there is a flow gap between it and the top of the first flow guiding cylinder 2.

[0061] The flow guiding component 4 includes an upper conical surface 41 and a lower conical surface 42 connected along the axial direction, with the upper conical surface 41 located above the lower conical surface 42;

[0062] Both the upper conical surface 41 and the lower conical surface 42 are conical structures. The inner diameter of the upper conical surface 41 gradually decreases from bottom to top along the axial direction of the tank body 1. The inner diameter of the lower conical surface 42 gradually increases from bottom to top along the axial direction of the tank body 1. The lower cone angle 421 of the lower conical surface 42 is smaller than the upper cone angle 412 of the upper conical surface 41.

[0063] For example, a flow guiding component 4 is provided at the top of the first guide tube 2, located below the overflow port 12, to adjust the speed and direction of the water flow entering the peripheral channel, thereby enhancing the flow velocity shearing and particle screening functions at the top. The flow guiding component 4 can be designed as a conical structure, which can guide the water flow to rise slowly along the wall of the second guide tube 3, while preventing particles from accumulating at the top or being rolled back by air bubbles. The second guide tube 3 is fitted around the first guide tube 2, with an annular flow gap maintained between its bottom and the tank body 1, undertaking the functions of overflow discharge and return screening, constructing an outer ring return path for the system, which is beneficial for algae that have not formed particles to re-enter the main circulation area.

[0064] In the aforementioned water circulation, when the water rises to the top of the first guide tube 2, it is blocked and diverted by the guide member 4 installed at the top, and then flows to both sides. The water flow velocity slows down, prolonging the residence time of microalgae at the top, thereby preventing immature particles from overflowing directly with the water flow. In addition, after the cone angle of the guide member 4 blocks and diverts the water, the slowed water flow velocity can also induce local swirling flow, enhance the top shear effect, and cause the microalgae particles to agglomerate and be screened again at the top.

[0065] For example, the flow guiding component 4 adopts a "rhomboid structure" composed of upper and lower conical surfaces 42, and the whole is a streamlined body with central axis symmetry, resembling a spindle or hourglass, and has multiple functions such as flow gathering, flow splitting, flow stabilization and particle screening. In the entire microalgae particle cultivation system, it is arranged between the top of the first flow guiding cylinder 2 and the overflow port 12, at the axial position, and is a key node connecting the main upflow and the outer ring return flow.

[0066] For example, when water gradually rises into the second guide tube 3, the upper conical surface 41 can guide and stabilize the upward flow to prevent fluid diffusion instability; when some water forms a downward trend in the second guide tube 3, the upper conical angle 412 structure of the upper conical surface 41 can block and disperse the downward flow, guide it to slide along the surface of the upper conical surface 41, and through the flow gap between the upper conical surface 41 and the inner wall of the second guide tube 3, divert it into the flow gap area between the first guide tube 2 and the second guide tube 3, thereby realizing the return and recirculation of some water and microalgae particles.

[0067] For example, the lower edge of the lower conical surface 42 is not connected to any structure, but rather has a flow gap between it and both the first guide tube 2 and the second guide tube 3, thus being suspended. This "suspended" arrangement allows water or particles to bypass the edge of the lower conical surface 42, flow under it, or fall back to the bottom area, thereby forming a slow transition zone below the guide member 4. This reduces disturbance during the top backflow process and provides a buffer space for particle settling and backflow.

[0068] For example, the flow guide member 4 has a rhomboid structure, which consists of an upper conical surface 41 with a larger cone angle and a lower conical surface 42 with a smaller cone angle, forming a naturally transitioning waist region between the two. Optionally, the upper cone angle 412 of the upper conical surface 41 can range from 135 to 180°, and its height-to-diameter ratio is about 1:2; the lower cone angle 421 of the lower conical surface 42 can range from 90 to 135°, and its height-to-diameter ratio is about 1:3.

[0069] For example, the upper cone surface 41 has a larger upper cone angle 412 and a more open shape; the lower cone surface 42 has a smaller lower cone angle 421 and a sharper shape, forming an asymmetrical cone combination. Specifically, the upper cone surface 41 adopts a larger cone angle design, and its open contour forces the water below to gather towards the center when it overflows and rises, and then flows back into the flow gap between the second guide tube 3 and the first guide tube 2; the lower cone surface 42 has a small cone angle, and its pointed cone shape can guide the water flow, so that the diverted water flow can spread smoothly to both sides, avoiding disturbance, thereby maintaining the stability of the water flow circulation.

[0070] For example, the flow guiding component 4 can be fixed to the top of the tank 1 or the inner wall of the second flow guiding cylinder 3 by means of top three-point suspension, radial support arm, or central axis anchoring, so as to maintain its coaxial stability in the vertical direction. It should be noted that during installation, reasonable flow clearances must be maintained between the top and bottom of the flow guiding component 4 and the top of the first flow guiding cylinder 2 and the inner wall of the second flow guiding cylinder 3, so that the system can maintain a continuous and stable water flow transition and avoid the occurrence of turbulent dead zones.

[0071] In addition, the flow guiding component 4 can be made by one-piece injection molding or by welding the upper and lower parts together. The material can be transparent polycarbonate, acrylic or polypropylene, which have the characteristics of corrosion resistance, high strength and high visibility. It is recommended that its surface be made into a mirror or matte finish to prevent algae from adhering and light interference.

[0072] In this embodiment, the flow guiding component 4 includes an upper conical surface 41 and a lower conical surface 42 connected sequentially along the axial direction of the tank body 1. The upper conical surface 41 is located above the lower conical surface 42, forming an overall rhomboid flow guiding structure. This embodiment, through the combination of the upper conical surface 41 and the lower conical surface 42, enables smooth turning and concentrated guidance of the water flow around the flow guiding component 4, avoiding fluid turbulence, effectively preventing unformed particles from being prematurely swept away, improving particle return efficiency, and thus optimizing particle settling performance.

[0073] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the top of the first guide tube 2 is connected to a third guide shroud 22 whose diameter gradually decreases from bottom to top along the axial direction of the tank body 1, and there is a flow gap between the outer wall of the third guide shroud 22 and the inner wall of the second guide tube 3.

[0074] For example, the third guide shroud 22 is installed on top of the first guide tube 2, and has an overall shape of an inverted funnel with a narrowing diameter, serving both rectification and gas-liquid separation functions. In terms of rectification, the third guide shroud 22 can change the flow direction of the fluid at the top, guiding the rising water flow in the center and distributing it evenly to the outer flow gap, thereby forming a stable annular outflow channel. In terms of gas-liquid separation, the third guide shroud 22 can prevent microbubbles from escaping directly with the fluid, promoting collisions and aggregation between microbubbles to form larger bubbles, which are then easily discharged from the exhaust device at the top of the tank 1 under buoyancy, preventing the loss of microalgae particles carried by microbubbles.

[0075] Compared to the installation of the third guide hood 22 described above, without the third guide hood 22, the top of the first guide cylinder 2 will be directly connected to the fluid channel inside the second guide cylinder 3. After the fluid rises to the top of the first guide cylinder 2, there will be a lack of an effective contraction and rectification structure, resulting in disordered water flow diffusion and turbulence, making it difficult to evenly distribute the flow between the second guide cylinder 3 and the first guide cylinder 2. At the same time, due to the lack of contraction and guidance, the tiny bubbles generated by the aeration disc 6 will directly escape with the fluid flow and will not be able to aggregate into large bubbles for discharge. Moreover, a large number of tiny bubbles will carry microalgae particles. The tiny bubbles carrying microalgae will flow with the fluid through the flow gaps, successively flowing through the flow gap between the first guide cylinder 2 and the second guide cylinder 3, and the flow gap between the second guide cylinder 3 and the tank 1, and finally to the outside, resulting in the loss of microalgae particles and reducing the retention rate and granulation efficiency of the microalgae particles.

[0076] For example, the lower end of the third guide shroud 22 can be reliably connected to the top of the first guide tube 2 via a flange, thread, or welding to ensure airtightness and structural stability. An annular flow gap is formed between its outer wall and the inner wall of the second guide tube 3; the gap width needs to be precisely designed based on the system flow rate, bubble size, and anti-clogging requirements. Simultaneously, reinforcing ribs or inner lining rings can be provided in the bottom connection area of ​​the third guide shroud 22 to enhance structural strength and prevent fatigue damage to the connection points due to long-term fluid impact.

[0077] For example, the radius of curvature of the inner diameter contraction section of the third flow deflector 22 should adopt a continuous and smooth transition design to avoid fluid separation or turbulence and improve rectification efficiency. Materials can include PVC-U, PP, FRP (fiberglass), or SUS316L stainless steel for high-salt corrosion environments, and the inner surface can be coated with an anti-adhesion coating to reduce the adhesion of microalgae or bubbles. Furthermore, if the third flow deflector 22 is made of a non-transparent material, a detection port or transparent observation window can be provided for convenient monitoring and maintenance of its operating status.

[0078] In this embodiment, by setting a third guide shroud 22 connected to the first guide cylinder 2, a top contraction zone is formed to guide the fluid to rise and rectify; at the same time, it cooperates with the second guide cylinder 3 to form a stable annular flow gap between its outer wall and inner wall to achieve uniform outflow; in addition, the third guide shroud 22 can also promote the aggregation of small bubbles into large bubbles, effectively avoiding particle entrainment and loss.

[0079] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the bottom of the second guide tube 3 is connected to a second guide shroud 31 with an outwardly expanding diameter. The second guide shroud 31 includes an extension section 312 and an expansion section 311 that are sequentially connected from bottom to top along the axial direction of the tank body 1.

[0080] The expansion section 311 gradually increases in inner diameter from top to bottom along the axial direction of the tank body 1, with one upper end connected to the bottom of the second guide tube 3 and one bottom end connected to the extension section 312.

[0081] At least a portion of the extension section 312 is sleeved between the first guide tube 2 and the tank 1, and there is a flow gap between the extension section 312 and the tank 1.

[0082] For example, the second flow guide shroud 31 is installed at the bottom of the second flow guide tube 3. It mainly consists of an upper expansion section 311 and a lower extension section 312, and is a key flow guide component in the microalgae reactor connecting the main reaction zone and the bottom circulation channel. The expansion section 311 has a trumpet-shaped structure with its inner diameter gradually increasing from top to bottom. It is circumferentially connected to the bottom of the second flow guide tube 3 and can form a stable connection through sealing welding, snap-fit, or spiral fixing. This structure can effectively diffuse the downward-flowing backflow, slow down its velocity, buffer turbulence, prevent fluid from rushing directly to the bottom, and help larger particles settle and remain in the system.

[0083] For example, the expansion section 311 is connected to the extension section 312 below. The extension section 312 is cylindrical in shape and is fitted from top to bottom into the annular space between the outer side of the first guide tube 2 and the inner wall of the tank 1, forming a guiding channel for the water flow to converge back to the bottom. It does not directly contact the surrounding structure, but maintains a certain annular gap with the inner wall of the tank 1 and the first guide tube 2, so that the water continues to flow downward after slow diffusion and re-enters the main rising channel at the bottom, so that the entire system forms a complete hydraulic closed loop of "diffusion-return-bottom recovery-rising circulation".

[0084] For example, the expansion section 311 and the extension section 312 can be connected by a taper or a stepped overlap, or they can be manufactured as a single piece by blow molding. The material can be transparent polycarbonate, polypropylene, or acrylic plastic to ensure good salt corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and visibility.

[0085] In this embodiment, a second flow guide shroud 31, consisting of an expansion section 311 and an extension section 312, is provided at the bottom of the second flow guide tube 3. This not only effectively expands the lower flow guide area and enhances the fluid guidance coverage, but also the funnel-shaped structure of the expansion section 311 helps to slow down the outflow velocity, smoothly transition the flow state, and suppress the generation of eddies and turbulence. The extension section 312 partially covers the first flow guide tube 2, forming an annular buffer flow channel, which makes the return flow of the upper and lower circulating water more smooth around the second flow guide shroud 31, improves the particle suspension and sedimentation control capabilities, and enhances the overall flow field stability and reaction efficiency of the system.

[0086] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the bottom of the first guide tube 2 is connected to a first guide shroud 21 with an outwardly expanding diameter, and there are flow gaps between the bottom edge of the first guide shroud 21 and the inner wall and side wall of the bottom of the tank 1.

[0087] The first guide shroud 21 is a funnel shape with a gradually increasing diameter, and there is a flow gap between the bottom edge of the first guide shroud 21 and the inner wall and side wall of the tank 1. The setting of the first guide shroud 21 reduces the flow gap between the first guide cylinder 2 and the inner wall and side wall of the tank 1, which is more conducive to water entering the first guide cylinder 2 through the first guide shroud 21, that is, more conducive to circulation.

[0088] In this embodiment, the outward expansion structure of the first flow guide hood 21 effectively expands the flow range and promotes the uniform distribution of fluid in the bottom area. At the same time, the flow gap between the bottom edge and the inner wall and side wall of the tank 1 provides a smooth return channel for the water flow, reducing the formation of dead corners and stagnant areas, thereby optimizing the flow field circulation and improving the particle suspension and sedimentation effect.

[0089] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the tank 1 includes a culture section 1a and an overflow section 1b connected sequentially from bottom to top. The inner diameter of the culture section 1a is less than or equal to the inner diameter of the overflow section 1b. The first guide tube 2 is located inside the culture section 1a, and the bottom of the second guide tube 3 is located inside the culture section 1a, while its top is located inside the overflow section 1b.

[0090] For example, the connection between the cultivation section 1a and the overflow section 1b not only needs to ensure a tight seal, but can also be designed as a streamlined transition structure to avoid water separation and turbulence, thereby maintaining stable and smooth water flow. The first guide tube 2 is tightly installed inside the cultivation section 1a, coaxially arranged with the tank 1 along the axis, while leaving a reasonable flow gap between it and the inner wall of the tank 1 to prevent the formation of local dead water zones, ensuring uniform water flow throughout the cultivation area, which is conducive to the stable suspension and growth of microalgae particles.

[0091] For example, the bottom portion of the second guide tube 3 is located in the upper-middle position inside the culture section 1a, and its top extends out of the culture section 1a into the overflow section 1b. It is rigidly connected to the top wall of the overflow section 1b or securely fixed using an elastic structure to ensure accurate positioning and prevent structural displacement. It should be noted that the first guide tube 2 and the second guide tube are substantially coaxial along their axes to ensure that the water flow can smoothly transition from the culture section 1a to the overflow section 1b, forming an efficient and stable water circulation channel.

[0092] For example, the inner diameter of the culture section 1a can be designed according to the maximum size of the microalgae particles and the expected water flow velocity, and is usually kept relatively compact. The inner diameter of the overflow section 1b can be 20% to 50% larger than that of the culture section 1a, forming a buffer zone to effectively reduce surging and disturbance during the drainage process.

[0093] In this embodiment, the tank 1 includes a cultivation section 1a and an overflow section 1b connected sequentially from bottom to top. The inner diameter of the cultivation section 1a is less than or equal to the inner diameter of the overflow section 1b. This embodiment uses the smaller inner diameter of the cultivation section 1a to restrict the fluid space, increasing the flow velocity and shear force of the fluid in the cultivation zone, which is beneficial for the suspension and uniform cultivation of microalgae particles. Meanwhile, the larger inner diameter of the overflow section 1b provides sufficient diffusion space for the upper water body, effectively slowing down the flow velocity, preventing particles from overflowing with the water flow, and improving the cultivation efficiency and stability of the system.

[0094] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, at least part of the top of the culture section 1a is inserted into the overflow section 1b and forms an overflow weir 13; the overflow weir 13, the bottom wall of the overflow section 1b and the inner side wall of the overflow section 1b together form an overflow trough 14, and the overflow trough 14 is connected to the overflow port 12.

[0095] For example, the insertion part between the top of the culture section 1a and the inner wall of the overflow section 1b should be seamlessly connected or have a sealed structure to effectively prevent water leakage.

[0096] The overflow weir 13 forms a fixed and dimensionally stable annular drainage weir relative to the inner wall of the overflow section 1b. When water flows up from the flow gap between the second guide cylinder 3 and the inner wall of the tank 1, the water can flow into the overflow trough 14 evenly, avoiding uneven overflow or random overflow caused by excessive local water flow.

[0097] The bottom wall of the overflow trough 14 should be flush with or slightly raised above the inner bottom wall of the overflow section 1b to ensure smooth water flow and low flow resistance. The overflow trough 14 and the overflow port 12 are connected by a seal or flange to further ensure the airtightness and safety of the drainage system.

[0098] For example, the cross-section of the overflow trough 14 can be designed as trapezoidal or arc-shaped, which facilitates smooth water discharge and reduces water flow resistance and eddy currents. Simultaneously, the wall surface of the overflow trough 14 can be coated with an anti-corrosion and anti-adhesion coating to effectively reduce microalgae adhesion and decrease the risk of clogging. The size of the overflow outlet 12 should be determined based on the system's maximum design flow rate to ensure smooth and efficient wastewater discharge. Furthermore, a protective net can be installed at the overflow outlet 12 to prevent debris from entering and causing blockages.

[0099] In this embodiment, the overflow weir 13 and the overflow trough 14 work together to achieve effective liquid level separation and control between the culture section 1a and the overflow section 1b. At the same time, the overflow trough 14 acts as a buffer to guide excess liquid to the overflow port 12 in an orderly manner, ensuring that the overflow process is smooth and uniform, reducing liquid disturbance and particle loss, and improving the system's liquid management efficiency and the stability of the culture environment.

[0100] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, an aeration disc 6 is also provided at the bottom of the tank 1, and the aeration disc 6 is connected to the air inlet pipe 61.

[0101] For example, the aeration disc 6 can be fixedly installed at the center of the bottom of the tank 1, or evenly distributed on the support at the bottom of the tank 1 to ensure that its position is stable and that the bubbles can be evenly distributed throughout the water body. The aeration disc 6 is connected to the air inlet pipe 61 through a sealed interface. The connection must ensure good airtightness to prevent gas leakage. The connection methods that can be adopted include flange connection, snap-fit ​​or welding, so as to facilitate disassembly and maintenance later.

[0102] For example, the air intake pipe 61 should be made of a material that is corrosion resistant and suitable for long-term underwater use. Common materials include PVC and stainless steel.

[0103] In addition, the air inlet pipe 61 can be equipped with a flow regulating valve and a filter to prevent impurities from entering and affecting the aeration effect.

[0104] This embodiment incorporates an aeration disc 6 to ensure that gas can be evenly diffused throughout the entire interior space of the tank 1. This not only significantly increases the dissolved oxygen content in the reactor, promoting the photosynthesis and growth of microalgae, but also maintains the suspended state of the microalgae particles, preventing particle sedimentation and accumulation.

[0105] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the tank body 1 is provided with inspection holes 7 at the bottom and / or top.

[0106] For example, the inspection hole 7 can be configured with a removable cover plate, which can be fixed by bolts, quick-opening buckles or screw-on locking, ensuring good sealing and facilitating quick opening by maintenance personnel.

[0107] The diameter of the inspection hole 7 is usually not less than the inner diameter of the second guide tube 3, so as to meet the requirements of safe maintenance.

[0108] A rubber sealing ring must be installed at the interface between the cover plate and tank body 1 to ensure airtightness and watertightness during equipment operation and effectively prevent leakage. In addition, the location of the inspection hole 7 should be reasonably selected to avoid main fluid paths and critical structures, so as to avoid adverse effects on water circulation and the microalgae cultivation environment.

[0109] For example, the material of the cover plate of the inspection hole 7 should match that of the tank body 1, and can be stainless steel or corrosion-resistant plastic; in addition, the cover plate can also be equipped with a safety locking device and waterproof and dustproof measures to ensure operational safety and sealing effect.

[0110] This embodiment provides an inspection hole 7 to facilitate regular inspection, maintenance, and cleaning of the internal structure and equipment of the tank 1, thereby improving the maintainability and operational reliability of the system and ensuring long-term stable operation.

[0111] Based on the same concept, this application also provides a microalgae particle culture system, including a microalgae particle culturer for carbon capture as described in any of the above.

[0112] The beneficial effects of this microalgae particle culture system are the same as those of the microalgae particle culture device for carbon capture in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0113] Those skilled in the art should understand that the discussion of any of the above embodiments is merely exemplary and is not intended to imply that the scope of this application (including the claims) is limited to these examples; within the framework of this application, the technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations of different aspects of the embodiments of this application as described above, which are not provided in the details for the sake of brevity.

[0114] Additionally, to simplify the description and discussion, and to avoid obscuring the embodiments of this application, the well-known power / ground connections to integrated circuit (IC) chips and other components may or may not be shown in the provided drawings. Furthermore, the apparatus may be shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the embodiments of this application, and this also takes into account the fact that the details of the implementation of these block diagram apparatuses are highly dependent on the platform on which the embodiments of this application will be implemented (i.e., these details should be fully understood by those skilled in the art). While specific details (e.g., circuits) have been set forth to describe exemplary embodiments of this application, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments of this application can be implemented without these specific details or with variations thereof. Therefore, these descriptions should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0115] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, many substitutions, modifications, and variations of these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. For example, other memory architectures (e.g., dynamic RAM (DRAM)) may be used with the embodiments discussed.

[0116] The embodiments of this application are intended to cover all such substitutions, modifications, and variations that fall within the broad scope of the appended claims. Therefore, any omissions, modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the embodiments of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A microalgae particle culture device for carbon capture, characterized in that, include: The tank includes an inlet pipe and an overflow port, wherein the inlet pipe is located at the bottom of the tank and the overflow port is located on the upper outer periphery of the tank. The first guide tube is coaxially disposed in the middle of the tank body; the bottom of the first guide tube is opposite to the outlet of the water inlet pipe, and there is a flow gap between the first guide tube and the bottom of the tank body. The second guide tube is coaxially disposed in the upper part of the tank body, its top is fixedly connected to the top wall of the tank body, its bottom is sleeved on the top periphery of the first guide tube, and there is a flow gap between it and the inner wall of the tank body; at least part of the first guide tube is located in the fluid channel of the second guide tube, and there is a flow gap between it and the inner wall of the second guide tube. Among them, at least one of the first guide tube, the second guide tube, and the tank body is a double-shell structure; the double-shell structure includes an outer shell and an inner shell, which together form an annular cavity, and a number of lighting components are arranged in the annular cavity.

2. The microalgae particle culture device for carbon capture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The annular cavity has multiple annular mounting slots arranged along its axial direction, and each annular mounting slot is provided with a set of lighting components.

3. The microalgae particle culture device for carbon capture according to claim 1, characterized in that, A flow guiding member is also provided above the top of the first flow guiding cylinder. The flow guiding member is located below the overflow port and there is a flow gap between it and the top of the first flow guiding cylinder. The flow guiding component includes an upper conical surface and a lower conical surface connected along the axial direction, with the upper conical surface located above the lower conical surface; Both the upper and lower conical surfaces are conical structures. The inner diameter of the upper conical surface gradually narrows from bottom to top along the axial direction of the tank body; the inner diameter of the lower conical surface gradually increases from bottom to top along the axial direction of the tank body; and the lower cone angle of the lower conical surface is smaller than the upper cone angle of the upper conical surface.

4. The microalgae particle culture device for carbon capture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the first guide tube is connected to a third guide shroud whose diameter gradually decreases from bottom to top along the axial direction of the tank. There is a flow gap between the outer wall of the third guide shroud and the inner wall of the second guide tube.

5. The microalgae particle culture device for carbon capture according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The bottom of the second guide tube is connected to a second guide shroud with an outwardly expanding diameter. The second guide shroud includes an extension section and an expansion section that are sequentially connected from bottom to top along the axial direction of the tank. The expansion section gradually increases in inner diameter from top to bottom along the axial direction of the tank, with one upper end connected to the bottom of the second guide tube and one bottom end connected to the extension section. At least a portion of the extension is sleeved between the first guide tube and the tank, and there is a flow gap between the extension and the first guide tube and the tank.

6. The microalgae particle culture device for carbon capture according to claim 5, characterized in that, The bottom of the first guide tube is connected to a first guide shroud with an outwardly expanding diameter, and there are flow gaps between the bottom edge of the first guide shroud and the inner wall and side wall of the bottom of the tank.

7. The microalgae particle culture device for carbon capture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tank includes a culture section and an overflow section connected sequentially from bottom to top. The inner diameter of the culture section is less than or equal to the inner diameter of the overflow section. The first guide tube is located inside the culture section, and the bottom of the second guide tube is located inside the culture section, while its top is located inside the overflow section.

8. The microalgae particle culture device for carbon capture according to claim 7, characterized in that, At least part of the top of the culture section is inserted into the overflow section to form an overflow weir; the overflow weir, the bottom wall of the overflow section and the inner side wall of the overflow section together form an overflow channel, and the overflow channel is connected to the overflow port.

9. The microalgae particle culture device for carbon capture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the tank is also equipped with an aeration disc, which is connected to the air inlet pipe.

10. A microalgae particle culture system, characterized in that, The microalgae particle culture device for carbon capture includes any one of claims 1-9.

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