A photobioreactor
By employing a radial light source assembly and a dual stirring assembly in the photobioreactor, the problems of uneven illumination and air flotation were solved, thereby improving the uniformity of illumination and cell growth.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JINAN UNIVERSITY
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-10
AI Technical Summary
In existing photobioreactors, the attenuation of light source brightness affects the photobioreaction effect, and the airlift mixing mode causes microalgae or photosynthetic microorganisms to float, affecting cell growth.
The light source components arranged radially on a hollow rod are used for moving illumination, and combined with a double stirring component for horizontal and vertical stirring. The hollow rod drives the light source components to rotate, the first stirring plate performs horizontal stirring, and the second stirring plate performs vertical stirring, which disperses the gas and prevents air flotation.
It improves light uniformity, reduces light costs, prevents air flotation, and promotes cell growth.
Smart Images
Figure CN224478077U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of microalgae and photosynthetic microorganism cultivation technology, and more specifically, to a photobioreactor. Background Technology
[0002] Photosynthetic microorganisms can assimilate light energy and CO2 into organic matter such as sugars through photosynthesis, and then convert these organic matter into substances such as oils, proteins, and pigments, thus playing an important role in industries such as energy, food, feed, bait, cosmetics, and health products. In recent years, given that traditional open-track pools or closed glass tubes are heavily dependent on sunlight and easily affected by weather and seasonal factors, some studies have successively developed indoor closed-system photobioreactors with built-in light sources. This has freed them from the limitations of natural conditions, enabling the cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms to shift towards a precise and controllable "industrialized" model.
[0003] For example, the utility model with patent publication number CN220224141U relates to a photobioreactor, including a transparent inner tank and an outer tank sleeved outside the inner tank. A cavity is formed between the inner and outer tanks. An illumination lamp assembly is installed in the cavity along the circumference of the inner tank. A top cover is provided on the top of the inner and outer tanks, and the top cover has a passageway.
[0004] A rotating shaft is mounted on the bearing and a drive mechanism is set in conjunction with the rotating shaft. The inside of the rotating shaft is hollow and has an air supply chamber. The top of the air supply chamber is connected to an air supply pipe through a sealed bearing. The bottom of the rotating shaft is connected to the air supply chamber and multiple jet pipes are arranged around it. Each jet pipe is equipped with multiple nozzles. Two sets of stirring rods are symmetrically arranged on the side wall of the rotating shaft. Each set of stirring rods has a scraper at its tail end.
[0005] Existing photobioreactors have the following problems when in use: multiple light sources are distributed in a ring inside the tank wall, and the brightness of the light sources is affected by the light distance, which will affect the photobioreactor reaction effect; at present, most photobioreactors adopt the bottom-supply airlift mixing mode, which is prone to generating a large amount of foam, causing microalgae or other photosynthetic microorganisms to float to the surface with the bubbles, resulting in a large number of cells agglomerating at the top of the culture medium and making it difficult for them to grow. Utility Model Content
[0006] To overcome the shortcomings mentioned above, this invention aims to provide a technical solution that can address the impact of light source brightness decay and the air flotation phenomenon of photosynthetic microorganisms on photobiological reaction effects.
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a photobioreactor, comprising a photobioreactor tank, a tank cover being provided on the top of the tank cover, a liquid inlet and a vent being provided on the top of the tank cover, a liquid outlet being provided at the bottom of the tank, an aeration disc being fixedly connected to the inner bottom of the tank, a hollow rod being rotatably connected to the inner bottom of the tank, a drive unit being provided between the hollow rod and the tank, a pair of support plates being fixedly connected to the outer surface of the hollow rod, a light source assembly being provided between the pair of support plates, and a dual stirring assembly being provided on the outer surface of the hollow rod;
[0008] A vertical rod is installed inside the hollow rod, and a stirring drive assembly is installed between the vertical rod and the dual stirring assembly.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, an opening and closing assembly is provided between the photobioreactor tank and the tank cover. The opening and closing assembly includes a fixing block, a support block, and a screw with a handwheel. The fixing block is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the photobioreactor tank, the support block is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the tank cover, and the screw with a handwheel is threaded between the fixing block and the support block.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, an air supply pipe is fixedly connected to the bottom of the photobioreactor tank. One end of the air supply pipe is equipped with a one-way valve, and the other end of the air supply pipe passes through the photobioreactor tank and is connected to the aeration disc.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the drive unit includes a rotary motor and a belt drive mechanism. The rotary motor is mounted on the bottom of the photobioreactor tank, and the rotary motor and the hollow rod are connected by the belt drive mechanism.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the light source assembly includes a transparent glass protective sleeve, a waterproof sealing sleeve, an LED bracket, and an LED chip. The transparent glass protective sleeve is fixedly connected between a pair of support plates, the waterproof sealing sleeve is fixedly connected to one end of the transparent glass protective sleeve, the LED bracket is fixedly connected inside the transparent glass protective sleeve, and a circuit board is provided inside the LED bracket. The LED chip is embedded in the circuit board of the LED bracket.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, a sealing conduit is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the hollow rod and communicates with it. The sealing conduit is fixedly connected to one end of the waterproof sealing sleeve. A sealing tube is rotatably connected to the tank cover. The sealing tube extends into the photobioreactor tank and corresponds coaxially with the hollow rod. A collector ring is mounted on the top of the tank cover. The collector ring is located above the sealing tube. The output end of the collector ring is electrically connected to the circuit board on the LED bracket through a corresponding wire.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, a rubber sealing ring is provided between the hollow rod and the sealing tube.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the dual stirring assembly includes a first stirring plate, a guide groove, a shaft, and a second stirring plate. The first stirring plate is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the hollow rod. The guide groove is formed on the first stirring plate. A shaft is rotatably connected inside the guide groove, and one end of the shaft extends into the hollow rod. The second stirring plate is fixedly connected to the shaft and is located inside the guide groove.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, a bracket is fixedly connected to the bottom of the photobioreactor tank, one end of the upright is fixedly connected to the bracket, and the stirring drive assembly includes a first bevel gear and a second bevel gear. The first bevel gear is fixedly connected to one end of the shaft, and the second bevel gear is fixedly connected to the upright. The first bevel gear is meshed with the second bevel gear.
[0017] The technical effects and advantages of this utility model are as follows:
[0018] This photobioreactor, by setting a light source assembly on a rotatable hollow rod, with the light source assembly arranged radially along the photobioreactor tank, allows the light source to move and illuminate the photobiota inside the tank while rotating and providing illumination. This ensures uniform illumination and effectively reduces lighting costs.
[0019] This photobioreactor features a dual-stirring assembly. During the process of the hollow rod moving the light source assembly to provide illumination, stirring plate one can stir the photobiobioculture medium laterally, while stirring plate two can stir it longitudinally. This lateral and longitudinal stirring of the photobiobioculture medium improves the mixing degree of the medium and ensures uniform illumination. Furthermore, when gas is supplied from the bottom of the photobioreactor tank, it effectively disperses the rising gas, preventing microalgae or other photosynthetic microorganisms from floating, adhering to the wall, or generating foam during the gas supply process. This is more conducive to cell growth. Attached Figure Description
[0020] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art can derive other embodiments based on the provided drawings without creative effort.
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;
[0022] Figure 2 This utility model Figure 1 A bottom view;
[0023] Figure 3 This utility model Figure 1 A sectional view;
[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the hollow rod, light source assembly, and dual stirring assembly of this utility model;
[0025] Figure 5 This is a planar sectional view of the light source assembly of this utility model;
[0026] Figure 6 This is a partial sectional view of the hollow rod of this utility model.
[0027] The attached diagram is labeled as follows: 1. Photobioreactor storage tank; 2. Tank cover; 3. Liquid inlet; 4. Exhaust outlet; 5. Liquid outlet; 6. Hollow rod; 7. Rotary motor; 71. Belt drive mechanism; 8. Support plate; 9. Transparent glass protective sleeve; 91. Waterproof sealing sleeve; 92. LED bracket; 93. LED chip; 10. Stirring plate one; 101. Guide groove; 102. Shaft; 103. Stirring plate two; 11. Vertical rod; 12. Bevel gear one; 121. Bevel gear two; 13. Fixing block; 131. Support block; 132. Screw; 14. Air supply pipe; 15. One-way valve; 16. Sealing conduit; 17. Sealing pipe; 18. Rubber sealing ring; 19. Collector ring; 20. Bracket; 21. Aeration disc. Detailed Implementation
[0028] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this utility model from the content disclosed in this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0029] See also Figures 1-6This utility model provides a photobioreactor, including a photobioreactor storage tank 1, a tank cover 2 on the top of the photobioreactor storage tank 1, a liquid inlet 3 and a vent 4 on the top of the tank cover 2, and a liquid outlet 5 at the bottom of the photobioreactor storage tank 1.
[0030] The liquid inlet 3 can be used to replenish photobioreactor nutrient solution or fresh culture medium. The liquid inlet 3 is equipped with a plug for use. The vent 4 can be used to discharge gas in the photobioreactor storage tank 1. The vent 4 can be equipped with an vent valve. The liquid outlet 5 can be used to absorb the culture in the photobioreactor storage tank 1. The liquid outlet 5 can be equipped with an on / off valve.
[0031] In this embodiment, an opening and closing assembly is provided between the photobioreactor storage tank 1 and the tank cover 2. The opening and closing assembly includes a fixing block 13, a support block 131, and a screw 132 with a handwheel. The fixing block 13 is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the photobioreactor storage tank 1, the support block 131 is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the tank cover 2, and the screw 132 with a handwheel is threadedly connected between the fixing block 13 and the support block 131.
[0032] In this application, the opening and closing components are provided in at least three sets. By rotating the handwheel on the screw 132, the screw 132 can be threaded onto the fixed block 13 and the support block 131 until the screw 132 is disengaged from the fixed block 13. In this way, the tank cover 2 can be removed from the photobioreactor storage tank 1 to facilitate the maintenance of the inside of the photobioreactor storage tank 1.
[0033] To ensure the airtightness of the photobioreactor tank 1 and the tank cover 2 when they are closed, a conventional sealing gasket can be installed at the connection between them, and a sealing groove should be provided on the opposite surfaces of the two. In this way, the pressure sealing gasket between the photobioreactor tank 1 and the tank cover 2 can ensure the airtightness of the connection.
[0034] In this embodiment: an aeration disc 21 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the photobioreactor tank 1, and an air supply pipe 14 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the photobioreactor tank 1. One end of the air supply pipe 14 is equipped with a one-way valve 15, and the other end of the air supply pipe 14 passes through the photobioreactor tank 1 and is connected to the aeration disc 21.
[0035] In this application, the end of the air supply pipe 14 facing away from the aeration disc 21 can be connected to an air pump using existing pipe connection technology. The air pump can select the culture gas according to the type of microalgae or other photosynthetic microorganisms being cultured. For example, nitrogen can be used for photosynthetic bacteria with low oxygen requirements. The one-way valve 15 can ensure the one-way flow of gas in the air supply pipe 14. The aeration disc 21 can make the culture gas evenly aerated at the bottom of the photobioreactor storage tank 1.
[0036] In this embodiment: a hollow rod 6 is rotatably connected to the bottom of the photobioreactor tank 1. A drive unit is provided between the hollow rod 6 and the photobioreactor tank 1. The drive unit includes a rotary motor 7 and a belt drive mechanism 71. The rotary motor 7 is mounted on the bottom of the photobioreactor tank 1. The rotary motor 7 and the hollow rod 6 are connected by the belt drive mechanism 71.
[0037] The belt drive mechanism 71 consists of a pair of belt-driven pulleys. The pair of pulleys are respectively mounted on the output shaft of the rotary motor 7 and the hollow rod 6. The rotary motor 7 can be fixedly mounted on the bottom of the photobioreactor tank 1 by a motor bracket. In this way, by starting the rotary motor 7, the hollow rod 6 can rotate inside the photobioreactor tank 1.
[0038] In this embodiment: A pair of support plates 8 are fixedly connected to the outer surface of the hollow rod 6. A light source assembly is arranged between the pair of support plates 8. The light source assembly includes a transparent glass protective sleeve 9, a waterproof sealing sleeve 91, an LED bracket 92, and an LED chip 93. The transparent glass protective sleeve 9 is fixedly connected between the pair of support plates 8. The waterproof sealing sleeve 91 is fixedly connected to one end of the transparent glass protective sleeve 9. The LED bracket 92 is fixedly connected inside the transparent glass protective sleeve 9, and a circuit board is arranged inside the LED bracket 92. The LED chip 93 is embedded in the circuit board of the LED bracket 92.
[0039] In this application, the LED bracket 92 is a regular hexagon, and there are multiple light source components. Each light source component is provided with multiple LED chips 93, and the multiple light source components are arranged along the radial direction of the photobioreactor tank 1. The support plate 8 can fix the setting position of the light source components, and the transparent glass protective sleeve 9 can ensure the light transmittance of the LED chips 93. When the circuit board on the LED bracket 92 leads outward to connect wires, the waterproof sealing sleeve 91 can waterproof and seal the wires passing through, while preventing the photobioreactor solution from entering the transparent glass protective sleeve 9.
[0040] In use, by controlling the rotation of the hollow rod 6, the hollow rod 6 can drive the tray 8 to rotate around the center of the photobioreactor tank 1. The tray 8 can drive the light source assembly to rotate, and the LED chips 93 on the six sides of the LED bracket 92 can emit light. Since the illumination is mobile, the light source can uniformly illuminate the photobiobiosolution in the photobioreactor tank. This illumination method can reduce the cost of the light source and avoid the light decay problem caused by the fixed setting of the light source, which would affect the uniformity of illumination of microalgae or other photosynthetic microorganisms.
[0041] In this embodiment: a sealing conduit 16 is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the hollow rod 6 and communicates with it. The sealing conduit 16 is fixedly connected to one end of the waterproof sealing sleeve 91. A sealing tube 17 is rotatably connected to the can lid 2. The sealing tube 17 extends into the photobioreactor storage tank 1 and is coaxially corresponding to the hollow rod 6. A collector ring 19 is mounted on the top of the can lid 2. The collector ring 19 is located above the sealing tube 17. The output end of the collector ring 19 is electrically connected to the circuit board on the LED bracket 92 through a corresponding wire.
[0042] Because the light source assembly rotates around the axis of the hollow rod 6, in order to ensure the reliability of the light source assembly's illumination, an existing mature collector ring 19 is used. The collector ring 19 can be fixedly mounted on the can lid 2 through an insulated bracket structure. The electrical input end of the collector ring 19 can be connected to a controller with a power supply. The output end of the collector ring 19 can be connected to the circuit board on the LED bracket 92 by passing through the sealing tube 17, the hollow rod 6 and the sealing conduit 16 in sequence through the corresponding wires, and then through the waterproof sealing sleeve 91 to enter the transparent glass protective sleeve 9. During this process, the wires need to be bundled and managed. In this way, when the hollow rod 6 drives the light source assembly to rotate, the rotating end of the collector ring 19 can rotate synchronously with the hollow rod 6 to ensure continuous power supply. All components of the collector ring 19 are general standard parts or components known to those skilled in the art. Their structure and principle can be learned by those skilled in the art through technical manuals or conventional experimental methods.
[0043] In this embodiment, a rubber sealing ring 18 is provided between the hollow rod 6 and the sealing tube 17.
[0044] The rubber sealing ring 18 is embedded in the top of the hollow rod 6, and the sealing tube 17 is provided with a sealing groove that matches the rubber sealing ring 18. Since the can cover 2 can be detachably installed on the photobioreactor storage tank 1, when the can cover 2 is closed on the top of the photobioreactor storage tank 1, the sealing tube 17 can be pressed and fixed on the hollow rod 6 by the rubber sealing ring 18, so that the top of the hollow rod 6 can meet the waterproof requirements.
[0045] In this embodiment: a double stirring assembly is provided on the outer surface of the hollow rod 6. The double stirring assembly includes a stirring plate 10, a guide groove 101, a shaft 102, and a stirring plate 103. The stirring plate 10 is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the hollow rod 6. The guide groove 101 is opened on the stirring plate 10. The shaft 102 is rotatably connected inside the guide groove 101, and one end of the shaft 102 extends into the hollow rod 6. The stirring plate 103 is fixedly connected to the shaft 102, and the stirring plate 103 is located inside the guide groove 101.
[0046] The stirring plate 10 on the hollow rod 6 is set at an angle. When the hollow rod 6 rotates, the stirring plate 10 can stir the microalgae or other photosynthetic microorganisms laterally. The stirring plate 103 set in the guide groove 101 can stir the liquid of microalgae or other photosynthetic microorganisms longitudinally under the action of external power. The stirring in both the horizontal and vertical directions can improve the uniformity of the mixing of the liquid of microalgae or other photosynthetic microorganisms.
[0047] In this embodiment: a vertical rod 11 is provided inside the hollow rod 6, and a stirring drive assembly is provided between the vertical rod 11 and the dual stirring assembly. A bracket 20 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the photobioreactor tank 1, and one end of the vertical rod 11 is fixedly connected to the bracket 20. The stirring drive assembly includes a first bevel gear 12 and a second bevel gear 121. The first bevel gear 12 is fixedly connected to one end of the shaft 102, and the second bevel gear 121 is fixedly connected to the vertical rod 11. The first bevel gear 12 is meshed with the second bevel gear 121.
[0048] The bracket 20 provides fixed support for the position of the upright 11. When the hollow rod 6 rotates, it can drive the stirring plate 10 to rotate laterally. Since the upright 11 is fixed, the rotation of the hollow rod 6 can drive the bevel gear 12 at one end of its upper shaft 102 to rotate around the bevel gear 121. Since the bevel gear 12 and the bevel gear 121 are meshed, the shaft 102 can provide rotational force to the stirring plate 103. The stirring plate 103 can perform longitudinal stirring in the guide groove 101. The stirring method in both the horizontal and vertical directions can promote the impact mixing of microalgae or other photosynthetic microorganisms, ensure uniformity, and further meet the need for uniform light irradiation of liquids for microalgae or other photosynthetic microorganisms.
[0049] Since the aeration disc 21 can release culture gas at the bottom of the photobioreactor tank 1, in order to avoid the gas rising and generating a large amount of foam, causing microalgae or other photosynthetic microorganisms to rise with the bubbles and produce the "air flotation" phenomenon, the horizontal and vertical stirring plates 10 and 103 can effectively disperse the culture gas and reduce the gas rising speed. In addition, the vertical stirring of the stirring plate 103 can promote the up and down movement of the photobiosolution, which can effectively prevent microalgae or other photosynthetic microorganisms from air flotation, wall adhesion and foam generation.
[0050] All electrical components mentioned in the text are electrically connected to the main controller and power supply. The main controller can be a conventional known device such as a computer that is used for control, and the existing publicly available power connection technology will not be elaborated in the text.
Claims
1. A photobioreactor, comprising a photobioreactor tank (1), wherein a tank cover (2) is provided on the top of the photobioreactor tank (1), and a liquid inlet (3) and a vent (4) are respectively provided on the top of the tank cover (2), and a liquid outlet (5) is provided at the bottom of the photobioreactor tank (1), characterized in that: An aeration disc (21) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the photobioreactor tank (1). A hollow rod (6) is rotatably connected to the bottom of the photobioreactor tank (1). A driving unit is provided between the hollow rod (6) and the photobioreactor tank (1). A pair of support plates (8) are fixedly connected to the outer surface of the hollow rod (6). A light source assembly is provided between the pair of support plates (8). A double stirring assembly is provided on the outer surface of the hollow rod (6). A vertical rod (11) is provided inside the hollow rod (6), and a stirring drive assembly is provided between the vertical rod (11) and the dual stirring assembly.
2. A photobioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: An opening and closing assembly is provided between the photobioreactor storage tank (1) and the tank cover (2). The opening and closing assembly includes a fixing block (13), a support block (131), and a screw (132) with a handwheel. The fixing block (13) is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the photobioreactor storage tank (1), the support block (131) is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the tank cover (2), and the screw (132) with a handwheel is threaded between the fixing block (13) and the support block (131).
3. A photobioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the photobioreactor tank (1) is fixedly connected to an air supply pipe (14). One end of the air supply pipe (14) is equipped with a one-way valve (15), and the other end of the air supply pipe (14) passes through the photobioreactor tank (1) and is connected to the aeration disc (21).
4. A photobioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive unit includes a rotary motor (7) and a belt drive mechanism (71). The rotary motor (7) is mounted on the bottom of the photobioreactor tank (1). The rotary motor (7) and the hollow rod (6) are connected by the belt drive mechanism (71).
5. A photobioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light source assembly includes a transparent glass protective sleeve (9), a waterproof sealing sleeve (91), an LED bracket (92), and an LED chip (93). The transparent glass protective sleeve (9) is fixedly connected between a pair of support plates (8). The waterproof sealing sleeve (91) is fixedly connected to one end of the transparent glass protective sleeve (9). The LED bracket (92) is fixedly connected inside the transparent glass protective sleeve (9), and a circuit board is provided inside the LED bracket (92). The LED chip (93) is embedded in the circuit board of the LED bracket (92).
6. A photobioreactor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The outer surface of the hollow rod (6) is fixedly connected to a sealing conduit (16) communicating with it. The sealing conduit (16) is fixedly connected to one end of the waterproof sealing sleeve (91). A sealing tube (17) is rotatably connected to the tank cover (2). The sealing tube (17) extends into the photobioreactor storage tank (1) and is coaxial with the hollow rod (6). A collector ring (19) is mounted on the top of the tank cover (2). The collector ring (19) is located above the sealing tube (17). The output end of the collector ring (19) is electrically connected to the circuit board on the LED bracket (92) through a corresponding wire.
7. A photobioreactor according to claim 6, characterized in that: A rubber sealing ring (18) is provided between the hollow rod (6) and the sealing tube (17).
8. A photobioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dual stirring assembly includes a stirring plate one (10), a guide groove (101), a shaft (102), and a stirring plate two (103). The stirring plate one (10) is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the hollow rod (6). The guide groove (101) is opened on the stirring plate one (10). The shaft (102) is rotatably connected inside the guide groove (101), and one end of the shaft (102) extends into the hollow rod (6). The stirring plate two (103) is fixedly connected to the shaft (102), and the stirring plate two (103) is located inside the guide groove (101).
9. A photobioreactor according to claim 8, characterized in that: The bottom of the photobioreactor tank (1) is fixedly connected to a bracket (20), and one end of the upright (11) is fixedly connected to the bracket (20). The stirring drive assembly includes a first bevel gear (12) and a second bevel gear (121). The first bevel gear (12) is fixedly connected to one end of the shaft (102), and the second bevel gear (121) is fixedly connected to the upright (11). The first bevel gear (12) is meshed with the second bevel gear (121).