Stabilization of breathing air of livestock and poultry systems and its use in algae cultivation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a photobioreactor system which allows the use of carbon dioxide in algae cultivation by fixing carbon dioxide, integrated into closed system small and large cattle breeding activities and breeding activities. Within the scope of the invention, it is also possible to use the obtained algae-derived biomass in animal breeding as feed, in agriculture as biofertilizer, in the food and health sector as coloring and antioxidant pigment, and as biomass for biofuel, biodiesel, bioplastic and bioenergy production. A method for regulating the air supply to a photobioreactor is also disclosed.

Description

[0001] STABILIZATION OF BREATHING AIR OF LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY SYSTEMS AND ITS USE IN ALGAE CULTIVATION

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a photobioreactor system for fixing carbon dioxide for use in algae cultivation, integrated into closed system small and large livestock breeding and breeding operations.

[0004] Background

[0005] The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that emissions from animal agriculture account for about 7.1 Gt CO2-eq per year, or 14.5% of annual anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Livestock-mediated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are recognized as a major driver of climate change, emitting 3.75 Gt CO2-eq per year. Emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) from animal husbandry continue to rise rapidly in response to the growing world population. It is also known that carbon dioxide emitted by animals has a longer-lasting effect on global warming.

[0006] The amount of carbon dioxide emitted during beef production is the highest (around 300 kg CCh / eq per kilogram of protein produced), followed by the different small ruminants raised for meat and milk production (165 and 112 kg CCh-eq / kg, respectively). However, cow's milk, chicken products and pork have lower global average CO2 emission intensities (below 100 CO2-eq / kg).

[0007] Today, large and small cattle breeding subject to meat and milk production is largely carried out in modern and closed systems. Since the daily carbon dioxide emission of thousands of animals in these systems can reach serious dimensions; it is a necessity for these systems to have effective ventilation systems. High levels of inert carbon dioxide are produced in cow breeding areas, especially for meat and milk production, which are fed under intensive conditions in closed systems, and this gas has not yet been used or stored by today's technologies.

[0008] Some development efforts to store methane gases released from animal feedlots are known in the art, but adequate solutions for controlling, fixing or converting carbon dioxide emissions into products have not yet been put forward.

[0009] Existing photobioreactor (PBR) systems can be designed as open and closed systems. In pilot and large-scale cyanobacteria and microalgae cultivation applications for different purposes, these systems can be fed with CO2 gas mixed with 2% to 5% air to increase biomass accumulation per unit time. However, this increases production costs in microalgae biotechnology, depending on the commercial purchase of CO2. The photosynthetic organisms involved can fix carbon dioxide in the air and convert it into glucose through photosynthesis. Some microalgae species belonging to the genus Chlorella have been found to tolerate even high concentrations of carbon dioxide in the air, reaching 40%. Therefore, after 2017, it is seen that significant progress can be made in the production costs and unit production quantities of biological biomass and high value-added antioxidants and pigments, especially by directly feeding the flue gases of thermal power plants to microalgae photobioreactor systems. However, unfortunately, a radical solution for the solution of atmospheric carbon dioxide gas emissions from cattle and sheep farming has not been proposed so far.

[0010] "Critical processes and variables in microalgae biomass production coupled with bioremediation of nutrients and CO2 from livestock farms: A review" (Lu, W ., Alam, M. A., Liu, S., Xu, J., & Saldivar, R. P. (2020). Science of the Total Environment, 716, 135247.), state-of-the-art algal species and microalgae cultivation systems used for renewable energy and bio-based fine chemical technologies, microalgae cultivation using wastewater and livestock waste for biofuel production are evaluated. It is noted that waste nutrient removal and microalgae biomass production efficiency are highly dependent on wastewater characteristics and the microalgae species used in bioremediation. The potential benefits and challenges of combining nutrient removal, carbon dioxide capture and microalgae production are also discussed.

[0011] Aim and Brief Description of Invention

[0012] The aim of the present invention is to develop an integrated and scalable system suitable for channeling the huge amounts of carbon dioxide gas released into the atmosphere from small and large livestock farming activities into microalgae bioreactors, thereby providing cheap CO2 to microalgae cells, increasing biomass accumulation per unit time and realizing the simultaneous production of sustainable animal feed biomass.

[0013] With the invention, integrated systems have been developed for closed system small and large animal breeding activities and breeding activities. According to the invention, carbon dioxide-rich air collected from the animal breeding area is used for the cultivation of cyanobacteria / algae. Preferably, algae-derived biomass is also provided as input to the animal breeding area to be used as feed in animal breeding. This reduces the carbon dioxide emission of the growers and enables them to produce high value-added antioxidants and food additive pigments at low cost.

[0014] The inventive photobioreactor design enables animal breeders to produce sustainable animal feed and biomass as well as biofertilizers and biofuels. Related invention for large- scale poultry and cattle breeders to reduce carbon emissions, produce their own biological feed, produce biofertilizers that can be used in pastures, and produce bioplastics, biofuels, biodiesel, bioplastics and bioenergy, It has the potential to provide multifaceted gains such as producing natural food colorants and food additive pigments and antioxidants such as beta carotene, fucoxanthin or astaxanthin at low costs, bringing them into the economy as high value-added products and allowing them to make a profit in this regard. It is envisaged that the invention will also reduce the bad reputation of animals in atmospheric carbon dioxide gas emissions. In this context, the main areas suitable for the use of the system developed with the invention are listed below.

[0015] • Large cattle hares used in meat and milk production (closed areas where animals such as cows, buffaloes, pigs, camels, horses, donkeys, mules and llamas are fattened)

[0016] • Sheep and goat breeding areas (enclosed areas where animals such as sheep and goats are fattened) used in meat, milk, feather and wool production,

[0017] • Poultry farms used to produce meat, feathers, leather, feed and wool (enclosed areas where animals such as chickens, geese, rabbits, turkeys, quails are fattened).

[0018] • All kinds of animal husbandry activities that release CO2 to the hara areas by aerobic respiration.

[0019] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0020] The system for achieving the objects of the present invention is shown in the accompanying figures.

[0021] Figure 1. A perspective view of an integrated plant according to the invention.

[0022] Figure 2. Front view of an integrated plant according to the invention.

[0023] Figure 3. Detail view of a fan assembly used in an integrated plant according to the invention.

[0024] Figure 4. Detail view of an algae production unit used in an integrated plant according to the invention.

[0025] Figure 5. Detail view of an algae production tank used in an integrated plant according to the invention. The parts in the figures are individually numbered and the corresponding numbers are given below.

[0026] 1. Upper windows of animal breeding area

[0027] 2. Animal breeding area entrance

[0028] 3. Fan

[0029] 4. Fan diffuser

[0030] 5. Fan suction pipe / duct

[0031] 6. Regulator input

[0032] 7. Regulator output

[0033] 8. Maintenance valve

[0034] 9. Adjustment panel

[0035] 10. Algae production facility entrance

[0036] 11. Algae production plant

[0037] 12. Drain pipe

[0038] 13. Drain valve

[0039] 14. Algae production tank / system

[0040] 15. Algae drain valve

[0041] 16. Algae production plant window

[0042] 17. Algae accumulation / storage tank

[0043] 18. Animal / organism breeding area

[0044] The inventive system, which utilizes carbon dioxide-rich air from closed system cultivation, comprises: at least one animal / organism rearing area that forms an enclosed volume where animals are raised (18), at least one carbon dioxide collection group located within the animal / organism rearing area (18) that provides for the collection of carbon dioxide-rich air, at least one photobioreactor (open system photobioreactor and / or closed system photobioreactor) in which carbon dioxide-rich air collected by a carbon dioxide collection device is fed and algae are grown, at least one biomass collection group providing collection of photobioreactor-derived biomass, contains at least one liquid volume collection group with a volume suitable for the accumulation of photobioreactor-derived functional culture fluid.

[0045] The carbon dioxide collection assembly may comprise at least one pipe positioned on the ceiling of the animal / organism rearing area (18), air inlets on the pipe and at least one fan (3) for drawing in air. The carbon dioxide collection assembly may also comprise at least one filter, for example a 0.22 pm capillary filter.

[0046] The photobioreactor may comprise at least one algae growth tank / system (14) made of a transparent material and containing a growth medium, at least one algae aeration inlet providing air supply to the algae growth tank / system (14) and at least one algae feed inlet providing nutrient supply to the algae growth tank / system (14). The photobioreactor may be of closed vertical, closed tubular or closed helical structure or open structure. The algal aeration inlet and the algal feed inlet may be connected directly to the algal production tank / system 14 or may be connected to a line that circulates the growth medium. The growing medium consists of water and nutrients required for algae. The algal aeration inlet also includes nozzles for efficient mixing of carbon dioxide-rich air into the growth medium. To facilitate efficient control of the growth medium and distribution of air and nutrients, it is preferred to use a large number of small-sized algal production tanks / sy stems (14).

[0047] Filters for filtering the gases released in the photobioreactor can be found, for example, 0.22pm capillary filters.

[0048] The biomass collection assembly may consist of a drain valve (15) with a volume equivalent to the total volume of the entire algae production tank / system (14) to the algae biomass accumulation / storage tank (17), the drain valve (15) to remove algae accumulated in the algae accumulation / storage tank (17), and drain pipes (12) connected to the algae drain valves (15). The algae drain valves (15) can be controlled manually by an operator or electronically controlled or automatically by a computer according to the conditions of the monitored algae production tank / system (14) and / or algae accumulation / storage tank (17). For this purpose, there is also provided at least one sensor connected to the algae production tank / system (14) and / or the algae accumulation / storage tank (17) for measuring optical properties, acoustic properties, weight or a combination thereof.

[0049] The photobioreactor can preferably be located in a greenhouse to utilize natural light, or it can have at least one lighting element to utilize artificial light. It is also possible for the photobioreactor to utilize both natural and artificial light.

[0050] The system according to the invention preferably comprises a biomass collection group and an animal feeding line which transfers the collected biomass to the animal / organism rearing area (18) as feed. The feed line may comprise at least one holding tank and at least one filter to ensure that the biomass is separated in a form suitable for use as feed. The holding tank may also provide storage of the biomass.

[0051] The system according to the invention may comprise at least one sensor in the algae production facility (11) that detects the carbon dioxide content in the air coming from the hara systems and sensors that measure the temperature, pH and light level of the photobioreactor.

[0052] The invention also provides a method for regulating the air supply to a photobioreactor for growing algae. This method comprises the steps below:

[0053] - Collection of carbon dioxide-rich air from an animal / organism rearing area (18),

[0054] - Determination of the amounts of carbon dioxide that should be fed to a photobioreactor,

[0055] - Pumping the collected air into the photobioreactor in line with the determined amount of carbon dioxide.

[0056] The amounts of carbon dioxide that need to be fed into the photobioreactor system are determined from a predictive perspective by means of a machine learning based carbon dioxide quantity prediction model.

[0057] The machine learning algorithm used within the scope of the inventive method utilizes past performance and current performance data of the photobioreactor. These data are related to factors such as temperature, pH, light level, nutrient concentration and production rate of the photobioreactor. The algorithm is trained with this data to build a model to predict the future carbon dioxide content. The algorithm is preferably used in an algae production facility. (11) is also trained according to its dimensions. Thus, the amount of carbon dioxide that should be fed to the photobioreactor can be determined.

[0058] The machine learning algorithm can predict low carbon dioxide concentrations in the photobioreactor and ensure that carbon dioxide is transferred to the photobioreactor. Preferably, the algorithm can aim for a carbon dioxide content in the air of no more than 50%.

[0059] In one embodiment of the invention, the amount of carbon dioxide to be transferred to the photobioreactor is automatically determined using data from at least one sensor in the algae production plant (11) that detects the carbon dioxide content in the air.

[0060] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a system comprises a two- stage building. In the first building, which includes the animal / organism rearing area (18), carbon dioxide is produced. Carbon dioxide gases are emitted by the animals in the first building. These gases are evacuated through the upper windows (1) of the animal rearing area. However, no matter how much evacuation is done, there must also be a ventilation system in or on the first building. By means of a fan (3) located on the entrance (2) of the animal breeding area, carbon dioxide gases are sucked into the first building through a fan diffuser (4) and delivered to a regulator inlet (6) through a fan suction pipe / channel (5), The control panel (9) controls the amount of incoming gas from a predictive point of view by means of machine learning and delivers the carbon dioxide gas-air mixture, which should be pumped to the algae production plant (11), the second building, to the algae production plant (11) through the regulator outlet pipe (7) according to its amount. In case the control panel (9) needs maintenance, the gas absorbed by the maintenance valve (8) can be delivered directly to the production plant (11). In the algae production facility (11), production is realized by means of algae production modules placed at the algae production facility inlet (10). Production is realized by feeding algae with carbon dioxide pumped into the algae production facility (11). The produced algae are placed in the algae production tank / system (14). Afterwards, the algae cultures that have reached the stagnant phase are transferred to the algae accumulation / storage tank (17). The algae to be discharged are sent to the discharge pipe (12) via the algae discharge valve (15). Discharge from the discharge pipe (12) is carried out by the discharge valve (13). Sunbathing is provided by the transparent glass or plastic sheet or algae production facility window (16) located on the algae production facility (11).

[0061] The system and method of the invention enables the effective utilization of the high amount of carbon dioxide released into closed system areas during animal husbandry, especially cattle breeding. The air released from animal lungs after respiration rises upwards in closed systems under physical conditions because it is relatively hot and reaches high carbon dioxide concentration in the bam ceilings. This carbon dioxide-rich air in the ceiling is transported out of the barn through ventilation ducts and then filtered to remove possible contaminants. The filtered air, which has a very high carbon dioxide concentration, is then served to the microalgae cultures from the bottom of the closed system photobioreactor columns using a nozzle / air stone. This increases the rate of microalgae photosynthesis and promotes a much faster and larger amount of microalgae biomass per unit time. Thus, large amounts of carbon dioxide gas released into the atmosphere from animal stables are fixed by microalgae. Filtered, carbon dioxide-dense air promotes microalgae cultivation, allowing farmers to produce healthy, organic and suitable for animal husbandry biomass with 60% protein content such as Spirulina Chlorella, Desmodesmus at low cost. This significantly reduces the feed costs of farms and enables the establishment of sustainable integrated systems that enable the raising of animals and poultry with healthier diets and stronger immune systems.

[0062] Although the invention is described with one animal / organism rearing area (18), it is also suitable for use with more than one animal / organism rearing area (18). In particular, the animal / organism rearing area (18) as a source of carbon dioxide and the animal / organism rearing area (18) to be fed with algal biomass m a y be the same or different. For example, the high-density microalgae biomass to be obtained after microalgae-based fixation of carbon dioxide emitted by cattle can be used to feed cows, pigs, sheep, goats or poultry, as well as fish feed in fish farming ponds and cages. Thanks to the invention, it is possible to save between 2-40% in feed input costs. The invention also provides high sustainability, accelerating animal growth, reducing disease development by strengthening animal immune systems, increasing animal welfare and improving animal product quality.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for utilizing carbon dioxide-rich air released in closed system and large-scale animal husbandry characterized in that comprising;At least one animal / organism rearing area (18) forming a closed volume in which animals are reared,At least one carbon dioxide collection group located in the animal rearing area (18), which ensures the collection of carbon dioxide-rich air,At least one photobioreactor (open or closed) in which carbon dioxide-rich air collected by a carbon dioxide collector is fed and algae are grown,At least one biomass collection assembly for collecting biomass from the photobioreactor.

2. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that comprising at least one ventilation duct / pipe positioned in the ceiling of the animal / organism rearing area (18), air inlets located on said duct / pipe and said carbon dioxide collection group comprising at least one fan (3) for extracting air.

3. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that comprising the photobioreactor made of a transparent material and comprising at least one algal growth tank / system (14) comprising a growth medium, at least one algal ventilation inlet providing air supply to the algal growth tank / system (14) and at least one algal feed inlet providing nutrient supply to the algal growth tank / system (14).

4. A system according to claim 3, characterized in that comprising an algal accumulation / storage tank (17) having a volume equivalent to the total volume of the entire algal production tank / system (14), an algal drain valve (15) for harvesting the algae accumulated in the algal accumulation / storage tank (17), and said biomass collection assembly comprising drain pipes (12) connected to the algal drain valves (15).

5. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that comprising an animal feeding line, which transfers the biomass collected by the biomass collection group to an animal / organism rearing area (18) as feed.

6. A system according to claim 5, characterized in that comprising the feed line further comprising at least one holding tank and at least one filter to separate the biomass suitable for use as feed.

7. A system according to claim 5, characterized in that comprising an animal / organism rearing area (18) different from the carbon dioxide source animal / organism rearing area (18) to which the biomass feed line is connected.

8. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that comprising a control panel (9) for controlling the amount of gas coming from the animal / organism growing area (18) from a predictive point of view by means of machine learning and transmitting it to the algae production plant (11) according to the amount of carbon dioxide to be pumped to the algae production plant (11).

9. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that comprising at least one sensor in the algae production plant (11) for sensing carbon dioxide in the air and sensors for measuring temperature, pH and light level of the photobioreactor.

10. A method for regulating air supply to a photobioreactor for growing algae characterized in that comprising the steps below;Collecting carbon dioxide rich air from an animal / organism growing area (18),- Determination of the amounts of carbon dioxide to be fed to a photobioreactor,- Pumping the collected air into the photobioreactor in accordance with the determined amount of carbon dioxide.

11. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the amounts of carbon dioxide to be fed to the photobioreactor are determined from a predictive perspective by means of machine learning.

12. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that comprising a machine learning algorithm wherein it is trained with data of temperature, pH, light level, nutrient concentration and production amount of the photobioreactor and it predicts the future carbon dioxide amount.

13. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the amounts of carbon dioxide to be fed to the photobioreactor are determined by data from at least one sensor in the algae production facility (11) that detects carbon dioxide in the air.

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