Coaxial flow lifting cycle type microalgae culture photobioreactor

Abstract

The utility model relates to microalgae culture equipment technical field provides a coaxial flow guide lifting circulation formula microalgae culture light biological reaction device, solves the technical problem of big difference of inside and outside layer algal liquid light utilization efficiency, growth is not balanced, a coaxial flow guide lifting circulation formula microalgae culture light biological reaction device, including cylinder and the sealing cover of encapsulation cylinder upper end opening, its characterized in that: the flow guide cylinder of coaxial setting is equipped in the cylinder, and the flow guide cylinder is hollow, and the lower end is open structure, and the side wall upper end of flow guide cylinder sets overflow port, and the outer passage of annular gap between flow guide cylinder and cylinder inner wall is formed, and the inner passage is formed in the flow guide cylinder, and the backflow area of cylinder is located in the lower region of flow guide cylinder, and the outer passage, overflow port, inner passage and backflow area sequentially communicate and form circulation flow channel, fluid drive mechanism is equipped in the cylinder, and fluid drive mechanism drives the circulation flow of culture solution in circulation flow channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of microalgae cultivation equipment, specifically to a coaxial flow-guided lifting and circulating microalgae cultivation photobioreactor device. Background Technology

[0002] Algae, as a typical type of photosynthetic autotrophic microorganism, possess advantages such as rapid growth rate, high light energy utilization efficiency, and great potential for carbon fixation and resource utilization, showing broad application prospects in food, medicine, environmental governance, and new energy development. With the continuous advancement of the green and low-carbon development strategy, microalgae cultivation technology has received increasing attention. However, while existing microalgae cultivation devices, based on open ponds and simple transparent bucket cultivation devices, have solved the technical problems of pollution, temperature, and dissolved oxygen control, they employ an external direct lighting mode. Due to the poor light transmittance of the algal solution, light energy is severely attenuated within the algal solution. After the outer layer of algae absorbs most photons, the inner algal solution is in a low-light or even light-saturated zone, resulting in decreased light utilization efficiency and uneven growth.

[0003] To address this, we propose a coaxial flow-guided lifting and circulating microalgae cultivation photobioreactor. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a coaxial flow-guided lifting and circulating microalgae cultivation photobioreactor device to solve the aforementioned problems in existing technologies.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0006] A coaxial flow-guided lifting and circulating microalgae cultivation photobioreactor includes a cylindrical body and a sealed cap at the upper opening of the cylindrical body, characterized in that:

[0007] The cylinder is provided with a coaxially arranged guide tube. The guide tube is hollow and open at the bottom. An overflow port is provided at the upper end of the side wall of the guide tube. An outer channel with an annular gap is formed between the guide tube and the inner wall of the cylinder. An inner channel is formed inside the guide tube. The area of ​​the cylinder below the guide tube is a reflux zone. The outer channel, overflow port, inner channel and reflux zone are connected in sequence to form a circulation channel.

[0008] The cylinder is equipped with a fluid drive mechanism, which drives the culture medium to circulate in the circulation channel.

[0009] Furthermore, the fluid drive mechanism includes an aeration mechanism, wherein the aeration disc of the aeration mechanism is disposed at the lower end of the outer channel and is higher than the lower opening of the guide tube.

[0010] Furthermore, the upper surface of the aeration disc is provided with an aeration opening.

[0011] Preferably, the aeration disc is replaced by a plurality of concentrically arranged aeration rings or coiled aeration pipes. A first spiral blade is provided above the aeration rings or coiled aeration pipes. The radial inner side of the first spiral blade is sealed and fixedly connected to the outer wall of the guide cylinder, and the radial outer side of the first spiral blade is sealed and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the cylinder.

[0012] Furthermore, the fluid drive mechanism includes a second helical blade, a drive shaft, and a motor. The second helical blade is mounted on the drive shaft and disposed in the inner channel. The drive shaft passes through the sealing cover and is connected to the motor output shaft. The motor output shaft is mounted on the sealing cover.

[0013] Furthermore, the device includes an aeration mechanism, wherein the aeration disc of the aeration mechanism is disposed at the lower end of the outer channel.

[0014] Furthermore, the cylinder is transparent, and a light-illuminating structure is provided on the outside of the cylinder to provide light to the microalgae inside the cylinder.

[0015] Furthermore, the illumination structure includes an LED optical component and a reflective layer. The LED optical component is arranged close to the outer wall of the cylinder and surrounds the cylinder. The LED optical component is covered with a reflective layer.

[0016] Furthermore, the device is equipped with a heating structure, which includes a coil or a heat exchange jacket.

[0017] This invention provides a coaxial flow-guided lifting and circulating microalgae cultivation photobioreactor, which has the following beneficial effects: the fluid drive mechanism drives the algal liquid to rise along the outer channel to the top, enters the inner channel of the guide tube through the overflow port, and then flows back to the bottom reflux zone, forming a stable air-lift circulation flow from the inside to the outside, which largely overcomes the technical problems of large differences in light utilization efficiency between the inner and outer algal liquids and uneven growth. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model with the outer cover omitted;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention with the outer cover omitted.

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified structural diagram of point A in the middle;

[0022] Figure 5A schematic diagram of the structure for the aeration ring, support, inner pipe and guide tube.

[0023] In the picture:

[0024] 1. Cylinder body;

[0025] 2. Sealing cap;

[0026] 2a. Annular boss;

[0027] 2b. Perforation;

[0028] 3. Flow guide tube;

[0029] 3a. Overflow outlet;

[0030] 4. Aeration disc;

[0031] 5. Air interface;

[0032] 6. Carbon dioxide interface;

[0033] 7. Three-way proportional valve;

[0034] 8. Internal connection;

[0035] 9. Elbow;

[0036] 10. Bracket;

[0037] 11. Coil;

[0038] 12. LED optical components;

[0039] 13. Supporting leg;

[0040] 14. Casters;

[0041] 15. Outer cover. Detailed Implementation

[0042] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. 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.

[0043] See attached document Figure 1-4 ,

[0044] A coaxial flow-guided lifting and circulating microalgae cultivation photobioreactor includes a cylindrical body 1 and a sealing cap 2 encapsulating the opening at the upper end of the cylindrical body 1.

[0045] The cylinder 1 is made of transparent material, preferably high-strength borosilicate glass, but polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) transparent engineering plastic can also be used as needed. The main body of the cylinder 11 is designed as a cylinder with an inner diameter to height ratio between 1:2 and 1:4 to facilitate uniform light illumination and gas-liquid circulation. The wall thickness of the cylinder 1 is between 6 and 12 mm, and it can withstand an internal pressure of 0.1 to 0.3 MPa to meet the safe operation requirements under high-density culture conditions.

[0046] The bottom of the cylinder 1 adopts a conical base with an inclination angle of about 45° to ensure that algae or sedimented impurities can naturally collect to the center of the bottom. The center of the bottom is provided with a harvesting port and a sewage discharge port, which are arranged adjacent to each other and are connected to the external hose through stainless steel ball valves and quick-connect couplings. The outer wall of the conical base is equipped with adjustable vibration-damping casters 14 through support legs 13, which can move flexibly in the laboratory or pilot plant environment.

[0047] The cylinder 1 is provided with a coaxially arranged guide cylinder 3. The upper end of the guide cylinder 3 is threadedly connected to the annular boss 2a at the center of the cylinder 1. The guide cylinder 3 and the cylinder 1 are made of the same transparent material. The guide cylinder 3 is hollow and open at the lower end. An overflow port 3a is provided at the upper end of the side wall of the guide cylinder 3. An outer channel with an annular gap is formed between the guide cylinder 3 and the inner wall of the cylinder 1. An inner channel is formed inside the guide cylinder 3. The area of ​​the cylinder 1 below the guide cylinder 3 is a reflux zone. The outer channel, overflow port 3a, inner channel and reflux zone are connected in sequence to form a circulation channel.

[0048] The cylinder 1 is equipped with a fluid drive mechanism, which drives the culture medium to circulate in the circulation channel.

[0049] The fluid-driven mechanism includes an aeration mechanism. The aeration disc 4 of the aeration mechanism is annular and fixed to the lower part of the guide tube 3, but higher than the lower opening of the guide tube 3. The microbubbles released by the aeration mechanism in the culture medium, in addition to the traditional functions of increasing gas exchange and promoting dissolved oxygen, drive the algal solution to rise along the outer channel of the annular gap to the top, enter the inner channel of the guide tube 3 through the overflow port 3a, and then flow back to the bottom return zone, forming a stable air-lift circulation flow from the inside out. This circulation method effectively eliminates local dead zones, ensuring a uniform distribution of dissolved oxygen and nutrient concentrations in the algal solution. Preferably, the aeration disc 4 has an aeration opening on its upper surface to prevent downward airflow from affecting the algal solution return flow.

[0050] Alternatively, refer to the appendix. Figure 5The aeration disc 4 is replaced by several concentrically arranged aeration rings (adjacent aeration rings are fixedly connected by a bracket 10 and their inner cavities are interconnected by a connecting pipe, and the inner aeration rings are threadedly fixed to the guide cylinder 3) or coiled aeration pipes 11-shaped. A first spiral blade is provided above the aeration rings or coiled aeration pipes 11-shaped. The radially inner side of the first spiral blade is sealed and fixedly connected to the outer wall of the guide cylinder 3, and the radially outer side of the first spiral blade is sealed and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the cylinder 1. The gap between adjacent aeration rings or aeration pipes can facilitate the passage of algal liquid and reduce the obstruction effect of the aeration disc 4 on the algal liquid; while the setting of the first spiral blade can extend the gas-liquid mixing path and further promote dissolved oxygen.

[0051] Alternatively, the fluid drive mechanism includes a second helical blade, a drive shaft, and a motor. The second helical blade is mounted on the drive shaft and disposed in the inner channel. The drive shaft passes through the sealing cover 2 and is connected to the motor output shaft. The motor output shaft is mounted on the sealing cover 2, thus forming a stable mechanically driven circulating flow. To promote dissolved oxygen, an aeration mechanism is still necessary. Similarly, the aeration disc 4 of the aeration mechanism is located at the lower end of the outer channel but higher than the lower opening of the guide tube 3, weakening the air-lift circulating flow function from the inside to the outside.

[0052] In this embodiment, the air inlet of the aeration mechanism is connected to a gas mixing and filtration module. The gas mixing and filtration module is specifically installed on the sealing cover 2 and mainly consists of a three-way proportional valve 7, an air interface 5, a carbon dioxide interface 6, an air filter, and an inner pipe 8. The center of the sealing cover 2 has a through hole 2b that axially penetrates the annular boss 2a. The air interface 5 and the carbon dioxide interface 6 are connected to the air filter (air inlet) through the three-way proportional valve 7. The three-way proportional valve 7 (air outlet) is threaded to the upper end of the through hole 2b. The upper end of the inner pipe 8 is threaded to the lower end of the through hole 2b, and its lower end passes through the cylinder 1 axially and is connected to the aeration disc 4 through an elbow 9. Air and carbon dioxide are mixed as needed through the proportional valve. The commonly used range of carbon dioxide is 0.5% to 5%. After being sterilized by the filter (internal filter membrane pore size is 0.22 μm), it enters the aeration disc 4, realizing the fine control of algal liquid oxygen supply and inorganic carbon replenishment. A one-way check valve is installed on the gas line to prevent algal liquid from flowing back into the pipeline.

[0053] In this embodiment, the device is equipped with a heating structure, which includes a coil 11 (or a heat exchange jacket) made of 316L stainless steel. The coil 11 is evenly wound in a spiral manner around the outer wall of the cylinder 1 and is connected to an external constant temperature circulating water machine to maintain the temperature of the algae solution within a set range (adjustable from 20 to 30 ℃).

[0054] In this embodiment, a lighting structure is provided outside the cylinder 1 to provide light to the microalgae inside the cylinder 1. Specifically, the lighting structure includes LED optical components 12 and a reflective layer. The LED optical components 12 are arranged close to the outer wall of the cylinder 1 and surround the cylinder 1. In the figure, several LED optical components 12 surround the upper part of the cylinder 1, or an LED light strip can surround the upper part of the cylinder 1. The light strip is mainly composed of red LEDs and blue LEDs, with spectral peaks of 620-680 nm and 450-470 nm, respectively. The LED optical components 12 are covered with a reflective layer. Specifically, to improve the heat preservation effect, a cylindrical outer cover 15 is provided outside the coil 11, and the reflective layer can be laid on the inner wall of the outer cover 15. In some embodiments, a light guide diffuser is provided between the cylinder 1 and the LED optical components 12 as needed to make the light distribution in the cylinder 1 more uniform. In some embodiments, LED optical modules may be further disposed between the spiral gaps of the coil 11 and evenly distributed along the extension direction of the coil 11 as needed, to ensure that the algal solution receives appropriate light energy at different depths.

[0055] In this embodiment, the sealing cap 2 is equipped with several sensor interfaces, a liquid replenishment interface, and a pressure release interface. The sensor interfaces are used to install sensors, the liquid replenishment interfaces are used to connect to culture medium addition pipes, acid addition pipes, alkali addition pipes, etc., and the pressure release interfaces are used to connect to a pressure release valve. The conical base is equipped with a harvesting port, a drain port, and a sampling port. The sampling port adopts a sanitary three-clamp interface and is connected in series with a hydrophobic sterilizing air valve. The sampling needle can directly puncture into the algal solution area for sampling. The entire process is kept sealed to prevent external contamination from entering.

[0056] This embodiment also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) and sensor components, such as a temperature sensor, pH sensor, DO sensor, and light intensity sensor. The ECU is electrically connected to the LED lighting components, gas mixing proportioning valve, circulating water system, and the aforementioned sensors. The temperature sensor, pH sensor, and DO sensor are located in the lower part of the cylinder 1, collecting data which is then transmitted to the ECU. The ECU is located on the outer side of the cylinder 1. The ECU adjusts the flow rate of the circulating water pump (constant temperature circulating water system) to achieve temperature control; it adjusts the addition of acid and alkali solutions to achieve pH control; it adjusts the three-way proportioning valve 7 to adjust the air-to-carbon dioxide ratio to achieve dissolved oxygen control; and it adjusts the number of LED optical components 12 that are turned on or the current level to achieve illumination control. The ECU has a touchscreen interface that can display parameters such as temperature, light intensity, and gas ratio in real time, and supports remote monitoring and data storage functions. The ECU housing is waterproof with an IP54 protection rating, suitable for long-term use in high-humidity cultivation environments.

[0057] During cultivation, the LED optical component 12 provides continuous or intermittent illumination to ensure the algal solution receives suitable light energy; the heating structure maintains a constant temperature; and the gas mixing and filtration module regulates the air-to-carbon dioxide ratio to ensure sufficient supply of dissolved oxygen and inorganic carbon. Operators can aseptically sample algae through the sampling port to monitor algal growth. When the algal solution reaches the set density, it is discharged through the harvest port, while residue and waste liquid are discharged through the drain port. After the cultivation cycle is completed, the CIP cleaning and sterilization procedure is performed again (the CIP cleaning device is external, which is existing technology; the upper and lower ends of the cylinder 1 are respectively equipped with cleaning solution inlet and outlet pipes connected to the CIP cleaning pipeline) to prepare for the next batch of cultivation.

[0058] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0059] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A coaxial flow-guided lifting and circulating microalgae cultivation photobioreactor, comprising a cylindrical body and a sealing cap for the opening at the upper end of the cylindrical body, characterized in that: The cylinder is provided with a coaxially arranged guide tube. The guide tube is hollow and open at the bottom. An overflow port is provided at the upper end of the side wall of the guide tube. An outer channel with an annular gap is formed between the guide tube and the inner wall of the cylinder. An inner channel is formed inside the guide tube. The area of ​​the cylinder below the guide tube is a reflux zone. The outer channel, overflow port, inner channel and reflux zone are connected in sequence to form a circulation channel. The cylinder is equipped with a fluid drive mechanism, which drives the culture medium to circulate in the circulation channel.

2. The coaxial flow-guided lifting and circulating microalgae cultivation photobioreactor as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The fluid drive mechanism includes an aeration mechanism, wherein the aeration disc of the aeration mechanism is located at the lower end of the outer channel and is higher than the lower opening of the guide tube.

3. The coaxial flow-guided lifting and circulating microalgae cultivation photobioreactor as described in claim 2, characterized in that: An aeration opening is provided on the upper surface of the aeration disc.

4. The coaxial flow-guided lifting and circulating microalgae cultivation photobioreactor as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The aeration disc is replaced by several concentrically arranged aeration rings or coiled aeration pipes. A first spiral blade is provided above the aeration rings or coiled aeration pipes. The radial inner side of the first spiral blade is sealed and fixed to the outer wall of the guide cylinder, and the radial outer side of the first spiral blade is sealed and fixed to the inner wall of the cylinder.

5. The coaxial flow-guiding lifting and circulating microalgae cultivation photobioreactor as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The fluid drive mechanism includes a second helical blade, a drive shaft, and a motor. The second helical blade is mounted on the drive shaft and disposed in the inner channel. The drive shaft passes through the sealing cover and is connected to the motor output shaft. The motor output shaft is mounted on the sealing cover.

6. The coaxial flow-guided lifting and circulating microalgae cultivation photobioreactor as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The device includes an aeration mechanism, wherein the aeration disc of the aeration mechanism is disposed at the lower end of the outer channel.

7. The coaxial flow-guided lifting and circulating microalgae cultivation photobioreactor as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The cylinder and the guide tube are transparent, and a light-illuminating structure is provided on the outside of the cylinder to provide light to the microalgae inside the cylinder.

8. The coaxial flow-guiding lifting and circulating microalgae cultivation photobioreactor as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The illumination structure includes an LED optical component and a reflective layer. The LED optical component is arranged close to the outer wall of the cylinder and surrounds the cylinder. The LED optical component is covered with a reflective layer.

9. The coaxial flow-guided lifting and circulating microalgae cultivation photobioreactor as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The device is equipped with a heating structure, which includes a coil or a heat exchange jacket. When the heating structure is a coil, LED optical modules are evenly distributed along the extension direction of the coil between the spiral gaps of the outer wall of the cylinder.

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